Pennsylvania governor won’t appeal gay marriage legalization

Same-sex marriage advocates won a second victory in as many days in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, with the state's governor stating that he will not appeal a court decision that struck down the ban.

Gov. Tom Corbett's decision means that same-sex marriage will remain legal in Pennsylvania, without the threat that a higher court will reinstate the prohibition.

"The case is extremely unlikely to succeed on appeal," Corbett said in a statement. "Therefore, after review of the opinion and on the advice of my commonwealth legal team, I have decided not to appeal."

On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge John Jones III struck down Pennsylvania's 1996 law banning recognition of gay marriage, calling it unconstitutional. One widow, 11 couples and one couple's teenage daughters had sued.

Pennsylvania is the 19th state to recognize same-sex marriages. Hundreds of gay couples rushed to apply for marriage licenses after Jones' ruling Tuesday.

The decision came a day after another U.S. district judge declared a similar ban on gay marriage unconstitutional in Oregon, the 18th state to gain legal standing for same-sex nuptials.

Most recent federal court decisions lifting statewide prohibitions on gay marriage have come with a stay maintaining the status quo pending appeal, but Jones' ruling did not.

Corbett's decision goes against the Republican governor's political beliefs. He opposes same-sex marriage and had supported unsuccessful efforts to amend the state constitution to ban it.

"As a Roman Catholic, the traditional teaching of my faith has not wavered," Corbett said. "I continue to maintain the belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. My duties as governor require that I follow the laws as interpreted by the courts and make a judgment as to the likelihood of a successful appeal."

Pennsylvania was the last Northeastern U.S. state to legalize gay marriage.

Wire services