Why is Pennsylvania so anti-gay marriage? (Pittsburgh, York: 2014, health insurance, school)

[wehotex]

It seems odd to me that the state is sandwiched smack dab between two same sex marriage friendly regions (the New England states and NY) and then Delaware, Maryland and DC to the south. Do its people share some of the same attitudes/values? I've always heard the saying that Philly and Pittburgh are progressive and "Alabama" in between those two cities. How true is that? I remember seeing the videos of the many racist Pennsylvanians who depicted Obama as a monkey during the 2008 Election campaign.

[Raena77]

Not everyone is like that. Mainly the old school or children of the old school ways which are usually Republicians.

[bradjl2009]

Most people I know aren't like that.

[Duderino]

Pennsylvania is a bit of an "oddball" state politically in the Northeast. There is definitely more of a rural conservative element in PA than surrounding states, but I think also the political culture (meaning how government runs itself) in PA is not always conducive to being agile or responsive to current trends.

Even so, I think the legislature acts much more conservative than the residents are overall. If gay marriage were put up to a popular vote, it would have a good chance of passage in Pennsylvania, but referenda are not permitted in the state.

In terms of those racist videos from the 2008 election, there were some pretty offensive things that had been said, but 1) some people were actually crazies from other places, and 2) anyone actually from the state is in an extreme minority.

[Craziaskowboi]

Originally Posted by wehotex

I've always heard the saying that Philly and Pittburgh are progressive and "Alabama" in between those two cities. How true is that?

Considering the following facts...


- Rural Pennsylvania has a Catholic plurality while Alabama has a Baptist majority

- Almost 90% of white Alabama voters voted for John McCain in 2008 versus just over 60% of white voters in rural Pennsylvania

- Alabama has an exponentially higher proportion of black residents than rural Pennsylvania

- Alabama greatly lags rural Pennsylvania in terms of high-school graduation rates and health insurance coverage

- Alabama has much higher rates of poverty, obesity, drug use, teen pregnancy and STDs than rural Pennsylvania


...I'd say it's really not true at all. Being "like Alabama" requires a whole lot more than just an affinity for hunting, country music and conservative social values.

[jazzy jeff]

What makes you think Pa is so anti-gay marriage? The top pollster in Pa. (Franklin and Marshall) says otherwise. 54 percent support SSM. To bad it is up to the legislators, and of course Gov Clowney would veto it even if it did pass.

Brian Sims to push gay marriage bill in Pennsylvania - Outsports

[Pine to Vine]

Although there are more people in the two large urban centers, power in PA resides with its rural districts. A look at this map will tell you something: Pennsylvania Overview - 2012 Election Center - Elections & Politics from CNN.com. While you (the OP) mentioned that PA is sandwiched between two progressive regions, you forgot the state also shares a large border with Ohio and West Virginia, and western PA seems to have more in common with those states than with its east coast neighbors (Pittsburgh being the outlier). PA is not hard rock conservative, but it is not progressive either.

[wehotex]

The other marriage states seem to follow a geographical pattern. I'm just curious why Penn seems to be against the grain.

[pman]

Originally Posted by wehotex

The other marriage states seem to follow a geographical pattern. I'm just curious why Penn seems to be against the grain.

its because your knowledge of pa is based on a couple of statements that arent particularly true. aside from the fact the state isnt particularly against gay marriage, it went for obama in 2008, is nothing like alabama and is much bigger than maryland, de, and dc. its more loke ny and Virginia in that sense. southern de is notoriously racist.

[eschaton]

1. Pennsylvania's national lean is a hair over Democratic. States with similar lean, such as Iowa, Minnesota, and New Hampshire, have gay marriage, but...

2. Republicans as a party just aren't ready to accept letting same sex marriage pass. The New York State Senate allowed SSM to have a free vote, but that's about it.

If the Democrats get a trifecta in 2014, then I think SSM will pass. That said, while I think Corbett's looking DOA, it will be a long hard slog for Democrats to take the State Senate, let alone the State House. There's enough moderate Republicans in the Philly burbs that a "free vote" is probably pretty close to being a win right now, but I'd say it's more likely to be a few years yet.