Fetterman Blasts Oz for Ties to Conversion Therapy on 9 Year Anniversary of Becoming First Western PA Elected to Marry Same-Sex Couple

Braddock, PA - August 5, 2022 -- Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman on Friday released the following statement celebrating the 9 year anniversary since he officiated the first same-sex marriage in Allegheny County in defiance of Pennsylvania's ban. Despite the threat of legal action from former PA Governor Tom Corbett, Fetterman became the first public official in western Pennsylvania to marry a same-sex couple:

"Exactly nine years ago today, I became the first and ONLY elected official in western PA willing to officiate a gay marriage when it was illegal. John and Bill bravely defied fundamentally unjust laws banning same-sex marriage and decided to just do it. With only hours to prepare, it was my great honor to put on my finest cargo shorts and black Dickies work shirt, pick up a rainbow cake from Costco, and marry them in my unfinished loft surrounded by their family and friends."

"When right-wing extremists come after marriage equality and trans rights, I will fight it with everything I've got-including the guy I'm running to replace who STILL claims to remain 'undecided' on whether to support a bipartisan law to defend the right to a same-sex marriage.

"My opponent cannot be trusted to stand up at all for LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians. Dr. Oz gave advocates of so-called 'conversion therapy' a national platform on his television show, praised 'Don't Say Gay' bills, and denied causes of suicide risk to trans youth. It's never been more urgent to pass the PA Fairness Act and the Respect for Marriage Act. When it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, I will fight to scrap the filibuster so we can finally pass the equality act to guarantee LGBTQ+Americans equal protection under the law."

As Lieutenant Governor, Fetterman regularly ordered the display of Pride Flags from the balcony at the State Capitol in Harrisburg, along with the Trans Pride Flag during Transgender Day of Remembrance. Republican lawmakers later passed legislation banning this practice, but Fetterman continues to fly the flags in defiance of the ban. As Lieutenant Governor, Fetterman also fought for state and local laws to prohibit anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination; hosted a same-sex wedding when a wedding venue refused to do so; joined with lieutenant governors across the country to urge the lifting of restrictions on GBTQ+ men from giving blood; and fought for equality for LGBTQ+ couples in the provision of adoption services. In the U.S. Senate, Fetterman will help to pass the Equality Act and codify protections for the LGBTQ+ community into law.

In his 2022 Senate campaign, Fetterman has received endorsements from the Human Rights Campaign PAC and Ricky's Pride PAC, a local LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in the Philadelphia area, and the Steel City Stonewall Democrats.