Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley
As he had promised, the Democratic governor of Maryland, Martin O'Malley, has
introduced legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state. A legalization law introduced last year passed the state Senate but hung up in the House of Delegates over some of its language, especially that regarding religious freedom in the matter:
O’Malley said he believes the Maryland legislation is more specific on the point of protecting religious freedom than any of the six other states that have legalized same-sex marriage so far.
“We have done our very best in the drafting of this bill to make very, very, very explicit the protections of religious liberty as well as the protection of rights equally under the law, and it’s my hope that that will not only allow more support in the House of Delegates but, as importantly, I hope it will allow more people throughout our state to be able to support this bill,” O’Malley said. “One does not have to be an advocate for same-sex marriage in order to support equal rights under the law.”
Among other things, new language in this year's bill would not allow the state to deny government funds to religious organizations that refuse to perform same-sex marriages. It also makes a clear distinction between civil marriage and religious marriage.
O'Malley said last year he would sign a bill if it reached his desk, which it did not. This year, he says he's fighting for it. Both foes and supporters of the bill will also be fighting.
Among the backers are a number of unions, including the SEIU, which produced a video on the subject, as Laura Clawson recently noted:
“At 1199 SEIU, we support working families, not just certain families,” Ezekiel Jackson, an organizer for health-care workers in Maryland and the District, says in the video, in which he dons a Baltimore Orioles baseball cap. “That’s why bringing marriage equality to Maryland is important. It’s about making all families, including committed gay and lesbian couples, and their kids, stronger.”
Also in support is the Marylanders for Marriage Equality, which plans a demonstration the day before Valentine's Day in Annapolis. Democratic Rep. Donna Edwards also strongly backs legalized same-sex marriage.
Among the foes are the Maryland Marriage Alliance, which includes the state's Roman Catholic bishops. In a 16-page statement to churches sent in November, they have urged parishioners to reject any same-sex marriage bill, which they claim threatens religious liberty. The MMA plans a rally for Jan. 30 in Annapolis.