While events in San Francisco and Massachusetts have brought gay rights into the national spotlight, state Rep. Jerry Birmelin, R-Wayne, plans to introduce legislation that would greatly restrict gay rights in Pennsylvania.

The amendments to a House bill would reaffirm that marriage is between a man and a woman and also declare any spousal equivalents, such as civil unions, unrecognizable in Pennsylvania. Additionally, the amendments would outlaw adoption by a gay parent and declare the extension of benefits to gay partners of state employees illegal.

This proposal comes after Gov. Ed Rendell's decision to include same-sex benefits in the contracts of faculty at state-owned universities.

Jake Corman, R-Bellefonte, said he does not agree with the governor's decision to include the benefits in the contracts.

"The governor's kind of circumventing the legislature by putting [that] into the contract, which I don't agree with," Corman said.

Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre, said the state needs to be careful of the financial impact same-sex benefits could have on the budget.

Sara Ryan, president of Allies, said Penn State, unlike most Big Ten schools, is at a standstill because it does not offer same-sex benefits to faculty members. Additionally, the legislation could affect the proposed lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) minor, because it would be difficult to attract LGBT faculty, she said.

"Until we have these people, we can't have the classes. Indirectly, the minor would be affected," she said. "It's a very frustrating situation. What we've been told by the administration [is] what is prohibiting this is the makeup of the legislature. We are not going to make any progress."

Stacey Sobel, executive director of the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights in Philadelphia, said she is also upset with the proposed amendments concerning domestic partnership benefits.

"People who do the same work should get the same benefits. We are very disappointed that one of our elected officials would try to take away rights from our citizens," she said.

Andy Banducci, vice chairman of the College Republicans, said the amendment concerning benefits made little sense economically.

"I think all these things make very little sense in a free market when you want to be attracting the best of the best," he said.

Ryan compared the struggle for gay rights to that of black citizens struggling for civil rights.

"I think that our country is at a point right now to either equally protect its citizens or deny them their civil rights in the Constitution," she said.

Sobel said all the proposed amendments are damaging, especially the one concerning adoption.

"There are many children who need good homes who could be prevented from having parents," she said.

Len Bennett, spokesman for the House Republicans, said he was not sure if the legislation would pass.

"I know that when they did an amendment for legislation concerning the sanctity of marriage several years ago, it passed overwhelmingly," he said.

The Defense of Marriage Act, passed in 1996, currently outlaws marriage between homosexual couples.

Banducci said he does not support calling unions between a homosexual couple marriage.

"I think the term marriage has a cultural and religious significance," he said.

However, he said the government should not define relationships.

Ryan said legislation concerning marriage is troubling to her because it is religious-based.

"I think that the religious right is pushing forth their agenda. We have a separation of church and state for a reason, and there are many churches in this country who do support LGBT rights," she said

Bennett defended the legislation because it involves budgetary concerns for the state.

"I don't think that it is accurate that this is legislating morals when it comes to the expansion of benefits; it's going to be costly for the state. I think, again, in general, that it's determined that a man and a wife are the best way to raise children," he said.

Both Benninghoff and Corman, although not familiar with all the specifics of the proposed amendments, said they have a good chance of passing the legislature.

"I think the majority of the legislature in the House and Senate would support it if it was done correctly. Again, I don't think the governor would sign it," Corman said.

Birmelin did not return repeated phone calls to his office. Benninghoff had positive words about his colleague.

"I know Mr. Birmelin, and he is a very honorable person. He has very strong religious and moral beliefs," he said.

The proposed amendments will be added to House Bill 345, which concerns adoption of children who are physically, intellectually or emotionally disabled or difficult to place. They will be introduced when the legislature reconvenes in March.