The American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA) submitted a petition with over 2,300 signatures to Gov. Tom Corbett Wednesday, asking him to fight for biblical marriage.
Pennsylvania's voter-approved gay marriage ban was reversed by Judge John E. Jones III on May 20, and Gov. Corbett announced one day later that he would not appeal the decision.
AFA of PA President Diane Gramley expressed anger at the federal judge's decision and the governor's inaction.
"Pennsylvanians who understand what real marriage is are outraged that an unelected, activist judge has twisted the Constitution into something unrecognizable," she said in a statement.
"They know Governor Corbett still has time to do the right thing and appeal this decision. It is critical that he act to protect the families—the children—of Pennsylvania from this decision. Their fate is in his hands and the people elected him to make wise decisions."
The AFA of PA cites a 2011-2012 National Survey of Children's Health study that found that children raised with both biological parents suffer less "adverse family events" than those raised with one or neither biological parent. These "adverse events" include divorce, the death or incarceration of a parent, racial discrimination, and financial struggles. The results of the study were published by the CDC last month.
Gramley said that the study is proof of the need for children to be raised with their mother and father.
"Judge Jones has twisted history and says the facts don't matter, but the facts point to the need for children to have a mom and a dad," she stated. "The Pennsylvanians who signed petitions asking Governor Corbett to appeal Jones' decision understand history; they understand the need to provide children with the role models provided by a mom and a dad."
Gov. Corbett is up for re-election this year, and the majority of Pennsylvanians favor gay marriage. He maintains that although he will not fight for biblical marriage, he does believe in it.
"As a Roman Catholic, the traditional teaching of my faith has not wavered," he said in a May statement.
"I continue to maintain the belief that marriage is between one man and one woman."
