On July 23, 2013, Hanes announced[2] that his office would issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. On September 12, 2013, Judge Dan Pellegrini issued an order[3] to cease the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples in Pennsylvania.
Because of his public support of same-sex marriage, Hanes was removed from his volunteer position at Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls, effective September 17, 2013.[4]
In late May 2014, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania dropped its case against Hanes, as the law Hanes was accused of having violated was deemed unconstitutional. A federal district court essentially vindicated Hanes's stance that the state law discriminating against same-sex couples was unconstitutional.[5] On May 28, 2014, Montgomery County resumed issuing marriage licences to same-sex couples.[6]