Lawsuit against Pennsylvania County Clerk for issuing same-sex marriage licenses to be dropped

Bruce Hanes

Last year, Pennsylvania's marriage equality journey took a huge step forward when Montgomery County Clerk Bruce Hanes began issuing marriage licenses to any same-sex couples who applied.

In time, Hanes was admonished by the governor, ordered to stop and was promptly sued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health along with the Governor.

In light of yesterday's ruling that the state's same-sex marriage ban was unconstitutional, the lawsuit against Hanes will be dropped today:

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."

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.