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US Republican Glenn Thompson PA

US politician attends son’s same-sex wedding days after voting no to gay marriage

In 2015 the U.S. Supreme Court struck down all state bans on same-sex marriage and legalized it in all fifty states

A PENNSYLVANIA REPRESENTATIVE attended the same-sex wedding of his son three days after voting against legislation to protect the recognition of same-sex marriages.

Glenn Thompson, a Republican who represents a large swath of conservative northern Pennsylvania, voted against the bill brought by Democrats to the floor of the US House.

The vote came amid concerns that the Supreme Court ruling overturning the landmark Roe v Wade decision on abortion access could jeopardise other rights aside from access to abortion, including 2015’s Obergefell v Hodges decision, which established the rights of same-sex couples to marry nationwide.

The bill protecting the recognition passed 267 votes to 157 on 19 July, with 47 Republicans — including three from Pennsylvania — joining every Democrat in backing it.

On Friday,  Thompson attended the same-sex wedding of his son.

“Congressman and Mrs Thompson were thrilled to attend and celebrate their son’s marriage on Friday night as he began this new chapter in his life,”  Thompson’s office said in a statement.

“The Thompsons are very happy to welcome their new son-in-law into their family.”

Thompson’s press secretary also called the bill “nothing more than an election-year messaging stunt for Democrats in Congress who have failed to address historic inflation and out of control prices at gas pumps and grocery stores”.

The House bill would require the federal and state governments to recognise same-sex marriages, but would not stop a state from banning such marriages in the future.

In 2014, a federal judge struck down Pennsylvania’s same-sex marriage ban, and then-governor Tom Corbett declined to appeal it.

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    Nov 9th 2016, 12:42 PM

    Wife is getting induced tomorrow with our first child. Bricking it. Not just because of the changes it will bring but worried about them both. Still can’t take in the magnitude of it all but hoping that just being there for her throughout it all will help her.

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    Nov 9th 2016, 11:04 AM

    “Forget about all the advice”… Offers advice!

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    Nov 9th 2016, 11:16 AM

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    Nov 9th 2016, 1:04 PM

    My daughter in law, who’s Colombian, had a baby three months ago, her second, my sons first. She’s breastfeeding, carries the baby everywhere in a sling and I can honestly say that he’s the quietest, most contented child I’ve ever met! I, a mum of 6, am in awe. We can learn from those less well developed countries, where people still practice the basics. In the first world, we are too concerned with having all the latest gadgets, the prettiest clothes and the horrendously expensive prams and buggies.

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    Nov 9th 2016, 11:45 AM

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    Nov 9th 2016, 11:29 AM

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    Nov 9th 2016, 8:32 PM

    There is nothing wrong with checking out some of Gina Ford advise. It is good to have routines for both parents and child especially if a baby struggles with naps. Other advise regarding preparing meals was also useful to us.

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