Sen. Bob Casey Backs Marriage

Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), who campaigned as a conservative Democrat, has endorsed marriage equality.

“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and civil-rights questions presented, I support marriage equality for same-sex couples and believe that DOMA should be repealed,” Casey said in a statement exclusively first released to Philadelphia Gay News on Monday afternoon. Casey previously backed civil unions for same-sex couples and has said he opposes constitutional bans on same-sex marriage. He has supported pro-LGBT measures such as the Employment Nondiscrimination Act and the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

Casey's change of heart comes four days after openly gay Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims penned an open letter to him.  From Sims' letter:

Senator Casey, seven years ago I joined hundreds of thousands of LGBT Pennsylvanians in support of your candidacy in an effort to remove Senator Rick Santorum, one of the most anti-LGBT legislators in modern history, from public office. We worked tirelessly and we celebrated your victory, even as many of us struggled to reconcile our support for you with our fundamental beliefs in women’s reproductive rights, beliefs which you do not share.  We have believed since you were sworn in that when the time was right, when it really mattered, you would be there for equality. The time is right and we need you to be here.  But your voice is silent. And I am angry.

Hit the second link and read Sims' letter in full.