HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has passed a bill that would codify marriage equality into law. House Bill No. 1800 calls to change the definition of marriage in Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes from: “a civil contract by which one man and one woman take each other for husband and wife” to “a civil contract between two individuals.” The legislation advanced with a vote of 127 yeas and 72 nays. Representative Malcolm Kenyatta was the prime sponsor for the bill. He released a statement on its passing, saying: “I know some folks in this building have never had to refresh a computer screen to see if a court has given you access to a fundamental right, but that’s where I was when Obergefell v. Hodges ruling came up – and the court voted correctly,” Kenyatta said. “Because of this vote, I got to marry my best friend, Dr. Matthew Kenyatta. As important as this vote is to me, my family and people across the commonwealth who are in loving same-sex marriages, it’s equally as important that this law is passed to ensure our state law reflects the law of the land held in Obergefell. “Marriage is not symbolic, there are legal, practical and financial things connected to the institution of marriage.” Governor Josh Shapiro also celebrated the movement. The bill is now moving to the Republican-led Senate for consideration.