Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey (D) has followed the lead of several other Democratic Senators in expressing his support for full marriage equality, in addition to the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. Speaking with the Philadelphia Gay News, he explained that he was very moved by the stories he heard from LGBT Pennsylvanians:
CASEY: After much deliberation and after reviewing the legal, public policy and civil-rights questions presented, I support marriage equality for same-sex couples and believe that DOMA should be repealed. […]
These stories had a substantial impact on my position on this issue. If two people of the same sex fall in love and want to marry, why would our government stand in their way? At a time when many Americans lament a lack of commitment in our society between married men and women, why would we want less commitment and fewer strong marriages? If two people of the same sex want to raise children, why would our government prevent them from doing so, especially when so many children have only one parent or none at all? […]
As a senator and as a citizen, I can no longer in good conscience take a position that denies [same-sex families] the full measure of equality and respect.
Casey is Catholic, but believes people from all political parties can support what’s best for the country:
CASEY: I understand that many Americans of good will have strong feelings on both sides of this issue. I believe elected public officials have an abiding obligation to refrain from demonizing and dividing people for partisan or political gain. Rather, Democrats and Republicans should come together and find areas of agreement to do what’s best for the country, including lesbian and gay Americans.
There are now only eight Senate Democrats who have still not endorsed marriage equality. Conversely, nearly half the Senate — 48 members — now support the freedom to marry for all.