Same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania

Same-sex marriage in Pennsylvania became legal on May 20, 2014, when a U.S. federal district court judge ruled that the Commonwealth's 1996 statutory ban on recognizing same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. The state had prohibited recognition of same-sex marriage by statute since 1996. It had never added such a ban to its state constitution.

The state has never recognized civil unions or domestic partnerships and was the last state in the Northeast region where same-sex couples could not legally marry.

Economic Impact
A UCLA study found that allowing same-sex couples to marry in Pennsylvania will add nearly $100 million to the state's economy. Total spending related to weddings and wedding-related tourism will account for up to $92 million in the first three years, and state and local tax revenues are expected to increase by up to $5 million. Additionally, up to 1,142 new full- and part-time jobs are expected to be created by the additional economic activity.