Attorneys for Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett said on Wednesday that gays are like children when it comes to marriage, claiming a their relationships have "no validity," TIME reported.
As Corbett's office tries to block more than 150 marriage licenses issued by Montgomery County Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes, his attorneys claim that a 1996 law only allows for marriage between a man and a woman -- therefore outlawing child marriages -- to get their point across.
"Had the clerk issued marriage licenses to 12-year-olds in violation of state law, would anyone seriously contend that each 12-year-old... is entitled to a hearing on the validity of his 'license'?" the state wrote, according to Philly.com. "This case is about one thing: whether a local official may willfully disregard a statute based on his personal legal opinion that the statute is unconstitutional."
Hanes claims the 1996 law is unconstitutional and is scheduled to appear in the Commonwealth Court next week. More than 30 couples have asked to join him in court, afraid that the ruling could potentially invalidate their marriages. However, the state disapproves of their attempted involvement to defend their "purported marriage licenses," and said they file their own law suits.
The Commonwealth Court has said what topics should be discussed during the Sept. 4 hearing, asking lawyers to argue whether or not the court has jurisdiction since Hanes is a judicial officer, POLITICO said.
Other concerns to be discussed include whether marriage licensing is a judicial act or not and if the constitutionality of the state's marriage is a proper defense. Also anticipated to be argued is whether or not the Department of Health is allowed to sue in this specific case.
Corbett is up for re-election this year with sinking numbers. Political commentator Larry Sabato has suggested that he "step aside" from running as The Washington Post named him the "most vulnerable incumbent in the country."
