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 Gay
Marriage Bill Introduced In Maryland
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: January 25, 2008 - 1:00 pm ET
(Annapolis, Maryland) Legislation
was introduced in both houses of the Maryland legislature
Friday that would allow same-sex couples to marry.
Called the Religious Freedom
and Civil Marriage Protection Act it would allow churches
opposed to same-sex marriage to refuse to perform weddings.
"For those naysayers who
say that Maryland isn't ready to end marriage discrimination,
I ask you, if not now, when?" said Executive Director Dan
Furmansky.
"Thousands of same-sex
couples are denied the more than 1,000 basic legal protections
of a marriage license. Granting these families the stability
that marriage provides is good for their health, good for
their children, and good for society."
Last September the state's
highest court upheld the law barring same-sex unions. (story)
In a split ruling the majority
opinion said that while the court agrees that marriage is a
fundamental right, there is no fundamental right to marry
someone of the same sex. The court ruled that defining
marriage should be up to the legislature.
Within days of the decision,
Sen. Gwendolyn Britt (D) and Delegate Ben Barnes (D) announced
they would serve as the lead sponsors of legislation to end
marriage discrimination.
Following the sudden death of
Sen. Britt on January 12th (story)
Sens. Rich Madaleno (D) and Jamie Raskin (D) announced they
would lead efforts in the Senate to pass the measure.
The legislation has more than 50 sponsors in the House and Senate.
But many lawmakers, however,
say they are not interested
interest in taking up a gay marriage bill this year.
Gov. Martin O'Malley also has
voiced his opposition.
Several Republicans say they will introduce a
proposed amendment to the state constitution to define marriage as only between a man and a woman.
©365Gay.com 2008
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