Corbett: Same-Sex Couples And Children Analogy "Inappropriate"
By Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - Governor Corbett now says he believes an analogy his lawyers used in a legal brief in the case involving same-sex marriage licenses issued by Montgomery County – an analogy comparing same-sex couples and children -- was "inappropriate".
The Corbett administration is suing to stop the issuance marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Some of those couples have petitioned to intervene.
In a brief opposing that petition, administration lawyers said those couples have no standing because their licenses are invalid… the same way a marriage license issued to a 12-year-old couple would be invalid under state law. That reference was pounced upon by critics.
Spokesman Nils Frederiksen says the governor believes the comparison was inappropriate:
"Whether or not there's legal accuracy in it, it's a reference that should not have been used because it opens the door for controversy and it clouds the issue."
Lawyers for the couples seeking to intervene, meanwhile, have responded with their own brief saying they do have standing… contending the state's suit threatens the validity of marriage licenses they have received.
