Tom Corbett on Civil Rights

OpEd: Corbett knew federal LGBT laws; OK to change mind

Corbett, remember, was Pennsylvania's attorney general. Twice. The attorney general's job is to be the chief law enforcement officer in the state. That means a general understanding of federal law, because sometimes state & federal laws overlap; sometimes they don't. And during Corbett's time as attorney general, there were two major pieces of federal legislation in force regarding gay rights: "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the Defense of Marriage Act.

It would be nice if a politician more often just told us: "I changed my mind." A willingness to bend to new evidence might be a bold show of leadership.

Supports anti-LGBT-discrimination bill, but not gay marriage

"If that bill comes to my desk, I'll sign it," Corbett said; he decided to support the bills after recently learning federal laws do not protect Pennsylvania's LGBT community from discrimination. "In the last few months in discussions it was made clear to me the federal law did not cover them," said Corbett.

"It doesn't change my position on the issue of marriage or Pennsylvania's law on that," Corbett said. "But when it comes to discrimination in the workplace and employment and housing and other accommodations, I don't think there should be discrimination."

Apologies for comparing gay marriage to incest

In October, Corbett issued public apologies after comparing gay marriage to a union between brother and sister during a television interview. Now Corbett is looking for middle ground by taking a public stance in support of the bills and holding the line on the gay marriage ban, said another pundit.

Define marriage as between a man and a woman

A: Tom Corbett supports the Pennsylvania Marriage Amendment Act, which defines marriage as that between a man and a woman.