Letter to the Editor: Freeman Should Endorse Marriage Equality

There has been much attention on marriage equality lately with key endorsements this week from President Obama, , and the Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

While some would like to paint this as a controversial issue, the reality is that it isn't. Marriage equality is about providing fairness to LGBT families; it is about providing equal treatment under the law; and it is about the government recognizing same-sex relationships as equal.

While a number of Easton's elected officials, including and numerous members of City Council, have , and while the City of Easton providing equal benefits for same-sex partners of city workers, Easton's otherwise-liberal state pepresentative, has not yet said "I Do" to the LGBT community.

has been a solidly progressive voice for many issues. He has been outspoken for the need for workplace equality for LGBT employees, and he supports anti-bullying initiatives for youth in our public schools - but he has not yet been willing to state his support for marriage equality, and it's time for that to change. Recent polling has shown that a majority of Pennsylvanians are supportive of equal marriage rights, and numerous other state legislators have agreed.

If the President of the United States can do it, Easton's progressive State Representative can come through as well, and I await that moment with open arms!

Adrian Shanker
President of Equality Pennsylvania