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After Senate passage, Maryland House takes up same-sex marriage bill
If the state House passes the bill and the governor signs it, conservatives plan to put the issue on the ballot next year, an effort that has caused heartache among gay advocates in other states.
Source:
AHN
Reporter:
Kris Alingod
Location:
Annapolis, MD, United States
Published:
February 25, 2011 2:50 p.m. EST
Topics:
Government, Politics, Civil, Laws, Gays And Lesbians, Minority Group, Social Issue, Public Officials, Crime, Law And Justice
Maryland moved closer to legalizing marriage for gay couples on Friday as debate on the issue began in the state House. Conservatives, who have overturned same-sex marriage laws in other states via the ballot, are threatening to seek a referendum.
The House Judiciary Committee took up HB 175 in a hearing where advocates and opponents testified. The panel must approve the measure so a full floor vote can be held among all state delegates.
House Republicans led by minority leaders Tony O'Donnell earlier this month issued their formal position supporting current marriage law, which excludes gay couples.
During the hearing, a fellow for the Family Research Council, Peter Sprigg, testified in opposition of the bill.
"Every individual has access to the institution of marriage on exactly the same terms," Sprigg said, according to his prepared remarks.
"No one is permitted to marry a child, a close blood relative, a person who is already married, or a person of the same sex. If it is 'discrimination' to limit one's choice of marriage partner in any way, then all of these restrictions would be in question," he added.
The state Senate passed a bill Thursday night, 25-21, granting same-sex couples the same rights and benefits as heterosexual married couples. The measure protects religious organizations from being forced to marry gay couples.
"By establishing the right of all Marylanders to marry and the right of all Maryland churches to make their own decision about marriage, we have vindicated the principles of equality and toleration," state Sen. Jamie Raskin, one of the lead sponsors of the bill, said in a statement.
"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.
Maryland currently recognizes same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. The state also enacted a law in 2008 granting gay couples hospital visitation rights and the tax benefits such as transferring property deeds without fees.
The state may become the seventh jurisdiction in the nation to allow same-sex marriage.
However, if Democrats pass the bill in the state House and Gov. Martin O’Malley signs the measure into law as he has said, conservatives plan to put the issue on the ballot next year, an effort that has caused heartache among gay advocates in other states.
"If you vote to legalize same-sex marriage, this issue will be placed on the ballot and your decision will be overturned by the people," Sprigg warned House members during testimony. "Thirty-one out of thirty-one states that have voted on the definition of marriage have upheld marriage as the union of one man and one woman."
Same-sex marriage is legal in.Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington, D.C.
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