Marriage Equality Takes Giant Step Forward in Maryland

In a historic move, the Maryland House of Delegates today approved marriage equality legislation introduced by Governor Martin O’Malley (D) that would allow committed gay and lesbian couples to marry. The next stop for the legislation is a vote in the State Senate. Last year, the same-sex marriage bill died on the House floor; a vote was not taken.

“We could not be more grateful to the Delegates who today voted to make all Maryland families stronger,” said Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign. “Today, we took a giant step toward marriage equality becoming law – and we are in this position due to the unwavering leadership and resolve of Governor O’Malley, Speaker Busch and our legislative allies.”

The Civil Marriage Protection Act allows committed gay and lesbian couples to obtain a marriage license while providing religious exemptions for churches and other religious institutions. Clergy, for example, do not have to perform any marriage they do not agree with. The bill protects religious liberty.

The Human Rights Campaign has committed extensive resources to the Maryland effort, including helping to create Marylanders for Marriage Equality, the broad-based coalition made up of labor, faith, civil liberties, and LGBT organizations. HRC provided the campaign’s senior staff and spearheaded the field, communications, and faith components of the coalition effort. 

Today’s legislative win for marriage equality comes at a historic moment: in the past two weeks, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled California’s discriminatory Proposition 8 to be unconstitutional; Governor Christine Gregoire signed marriage equality into law in Washington State; and a marriage bill passed the New Jersey legislature yesterday. Six states and the District of Columbia recognize marriage equality, with Washington State’s law set to go into effect in three months.

Marriage equality advocates vow to fight on in Maryland

We were all shocked last week when the Maryland House of Delegates voted to halt debate about a pending marriage equality bill and send it back to committee rather than take a final vote on the measure. 

House leaders said the procedural move was necessary to prevent a likely negative outcome and keep the drive for marriage equality alive next year. 

Some Democrats who opposed the measure said they preferred to pass a civil unions bill that did not refer to "marriage." 

In other news, dang, Maryland has a crazy looking state flag!

Maryland marriage rights measure faces uncertainty

Wavering legislators sparked doubts last week as to whether a marriage equality bill can pass the Maryland House of Delegates during the current legislative session. Del. Sam Arora (pictured), who raised campaign money from LGBT donors amid promises to support marriage equality, has reportedly decided to vote against the bill if it reaches the House floor. Gov. Martin O'Malley told reporters this week he hoped the bill passes. 

"If you're a proponent of the bill, you certainly don't feel as confident as you did a week ago," said Todd Eberly, a political science professor at St. Mary's College.

Freedom to Marry, HRC, and NGLTF Applaud Maryland Senate on Passing Marriage Bill

The Maryland Senate today passed the Civil Marriage Protection Act, a bill to end same-sex couples’ exclusion from marriage.  Freedom to Marry, the Human Rights Campaign, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, all of which are part of the on-the-ground work to advocate for the freedom to marry in Maryland, call on the House of Delegates to follow suit and send the marriage bill to the governor, who has promised to sign it into law.

"Today the state Senate has acknowledged the love and commitment of same-sex couples throughoutMaryland who are taking care of one another, raising families, paying taxes, and contributing to their communities. When these couples join in marriage, their commitment will be strengthened, their families will share in the support and safety-net marriage brings, and it will take nothing away from anyone else,” said Evan Wolfson, founder and president of Freedom to Marry. “Stronger families mean a stronger community for everyone — a win-win in these tough economic times.”

 “Today the state Senate recognized the simple truth that recognizing the love and commitment of same-sex couples under state law will strengthen families and communities,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “This is a matter of fairness and equality and will put Maryland on the leading edge of giving loving same-sex couples the rights, responsibilities, benefits, and dignity that marriage entails, as have five other states and the District of Columbia.  We thank Equality Maryland for their hard work in gaining marriage equality and the thousands of HRC members across Maryland who spoke up for fairness.”

"Loving, committed couples in Maryland are a step closer to being able to better care for and protect themselves and their families thanks to today's vote by the state Senate. We're talking about people who simply want to have access to responsibilities, rights and protections already available to many others. We thank Equality Maryland for its leadership on this issue, as well as the senators who recognized our common humanity and stood for fairness today. We urge members of the House of Delegates to do the same," said Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

Marriage equality bill moves to Maryland Senate floor

A Maryland Senate committee voted to send a marriage equality bill to the full Senate, which looks likely to pass the measure in the next two weeks. 

"Anything can happen in Annapolis, so I'm still on the edge of my seat. But the bill is in great shape right now," said Sen. Jamie B. Raskin. Maryland would join the District of Columbia and five other states as places where same-sex couples can legally marry in the U.S.

Iowa senator stands his ground on marriage vote

Iowa Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal, in an interview with the editorial board of the Des Moines Register, said he would not give in and allow a vote in the Senate on the civil rights of gays and lesbians. Gronstal has blocked a vote on a constitutional amendment that would end marriage equality in the state. "I don't think it's appropriate to put your rights to a vote of the popular will of the people. I believe that's what the constitution is there for, to protect everybody's rights and to avoid the tyranny of the majority," Gronstal said.

Out lawmakers prepare to fight for marriage rights

Openly LGBT state lawmakers in Maryland and New York are gearing up to fight for marriage equality bills. Maryland elected three additional out lawmakers in 2010, bringing the state's total to seven.

"We've never been in a better position," said Maryland State Sen. Richard Madaleno (pictured).