A day after a federal judge struck down Pennsylvania's same-sex marriage ban, a decision was made to allow a Montgomery County official to resume issuing same-sex marriage licenses.
Wednesday night, Frank Custer, the Director of Communications of Montgomery County, told NBC10 that in light of the recent court ruling, Hanes would once again be allowed to issue the marriage licenses.
"It is our understanding that the PA Department of Health tonight will file a "letter of no objection" with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court concerning the stay preventing Montco Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes from issuing same sex marriage licenses," Custer said in a written release. "This should allow the Supreme Court to issue a ruling tomorrow allowing Mr. Hanes to resume issuing those licenses."
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After the federal judge struck down the state's same-sex marriage ban on Tuesday, Hanes said he was looking forward to having the restrictions that were implemented by the lawsuit lifted.
"I applaud the courage of the couples and families that brought this challenge, and have instructed the County attorneys to file an emergency application with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to remove the restrictions placed on my office by the Court and the Department of Health, and permit my office to join the other sixty-six counties in the Commonwealth in issuing marriage licenses," Hanes said."I am hopeful that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will act swiftly to remove this last obstacle to marriage equality in Pennsylvania, and I look forward to once again issuing marriage licenses to all who seek them."
Gov. Tom Corbett also announced Wednesday that he would halt his court fight against same-sex marriage because "the case is extremely unlikely to succeed on appeal."
The governor's decision means that same-sex marriage will remain legal in Pennsylvania, without the threat that a higher court will reinstate the ban.
