County residents say same-sex marriage bill will help them
Posted on Feb 11, 2008 at 02:17 pm
The Frederick News
February 11, 2008
At least 15 residents from Frederick County will travel to Annapolis to attend an Equality Maryland rally in support of legislation that would end the exclusion of same-sex couples and their families from marriage in the state. [Link]
February 11, 2008
At least 15 residents from Frederick County will travel to Annapolis to attend an Equality Maryland rally in support of legislation that would end the exclusion of same-sex couples and their families from marriage in the state. [Link]
New marriage battle ahead for MD
Posted on Jan 25, 2008 at 02:02 pm
The Gazette
January 25, 2008
"This is the first time in recent history that the legislation has been introduced since the [appeals court] case. Now it’s time for the legislature to take this on. Legislators will have to go on the record with their positions and those opposing will have to say why they want to continue denying these rights," said Carrie Evans, director of policy and planning for Equality Maryland. "A month ago we were thinking we would be lucky to have 25 co-sponsors. On Friday we have 49 sponsors so we've exceeded expectations there. Do we have the votes on the floor today? No we don't, but we have a lot of people who support this bill and we will continue throughout the session to send in our people and our families to talk to lawmakers." [Link]
January 25, 2008
"This is the first time in recent history that the legislation has been introduced since the [appeals court] case. Now it’s time for the legislature to take this on. Legislators will have to go on the record with their positions and those opposing will have to say why they want to continue denying these rights," said Carrie Evans, director of policy and planning for Equality Maryland. "A month ago we were thinking we would be lucky to have 25 co-sponsors. On Friday we have 49 sponsors so we've exceeded expectations there. Do we have the votes on the floor today? No we don't, but we have a lot of people who support this bill and we will continue throughout the session to send in our people and our families to talk to lawmakers." [Link]
MD Senator Tirelessly Fought for Civil Rights
Posted on Jan 13, 2008 at 04:54 pm
Baltimore Sun
January 13, 2008
Prince George's County senator and civil rights activist Gwendolyn T. Britt died early yesterday. She was 66. The five-year Democratic state senator was expected to introduce legislation this year that would legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland - and by agreeing to do so, she had become a "hero" to that community, wrote Dan Furmansky, executive director of Equality Maryland. "Thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Marylanders and their families only knew Senator Britt by name, and yet this name truly meant everything to them," he wrote. [Link]
January 13, 2008
Prince George's County senator and civil rights activist Gwendolyn T. Britt died early yesterday. She was 66. The five-year Democratic state senator was expected to introduce legislation this year that would legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland - and by agreeing to do so, she had become a "hero" to that community, wrote Dan Furmansky, executive director of Equality Maryland. "Thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Marylanders and their families only knew Senator Britt by name, and yet this name truly meant everything to them," he wrote. [Link]
MD Gov. open to signing marriage bill
Posted on Oct 05, 2007 at 02:22 pm
Washington Blade
October 5, 2007
Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, in an exclusive interview with the Washington Blade this week, indicated that he is amenable to signing a bill extending civil marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples. [Link]
October 5, 2007
Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, in an exclusive interview with the Washington Blade this week, indicated that he is amenable to signing a bill extending civil marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples. [Link]
OPINION: MD’s highest court rules against marriage equality: Why, in this area, litigation still mat
Posted on Oct 02, 2007 at 05:42 pm
FindLaw's Writ
October 2, 2007
Despite the existence of pro- or anti-freedom to marry laws in nearly every state, litigation is still very relevant. This article provides a rundown of how it can be relevant in various states. [Link]
October 2, 2007
Despite the existence of pro- or anti-freedom to marry laws in nearly every state, litigation is still very relevant. This article provides a rundown of how it can be relevant in various states. [Link]
MD marriage ruling leads to vows for legislation in General Assembly
Posted on Sep 29, 2007 at 02:21 pm
The Sentinel
September 29, 2007
State Sen. Gwendolyn Britt (D-Dist. 47) and Del. Victor Ramirez (D-Dist. 47) have both announced they would sponsor legislation in 2008 to allow same-sex couples to wed. Ramirez is championing the freedom to marry saying his cultural heritage allows him to identify with the desire for equal rights under the law. "Latinos and everyone fighting for equality, justice and freedom understand the importance of having the same opportunities and importance of being treated with fairness and compassion." [link]
September 29, 2007
State Sen. Gwendolyn Britt (D-Dist. 47) and Del. Victor Ramirez (D-Dist. 47) have both announced they would sponsor legislation in 2008 to allow same-sex couples to wed. Ramirez is championing the freedom to marry saying his cultural heritage allows him to identify with the desire for equal rights under the law. "Latinos and everyone fighting for equality, justice and freedom understand the importance of having the same opportunities and importance of being treated with fairness and compassion." [link]
Non-gay allies integral to MD marriage fight
Posted on Sep 28, 2007 at 02:31 pm
Washington Blade
September 28, 2007
Del. Todd Schuler (D-Baltimore County) said he plans to co-sponsor a civil marriage bill when it is introduced in the House of Delegates. He said he thinks about his wife and how he would feel if she were in an accident and he could not make decisions about her care. "I don't know what I would do," he said. "If they extend marriage rights to anyone, they should extend them to everyone. Churches don't have any right to tell the state who they can and cannot marry, any more than the state has the right to tell anyone who they can and cannot marry." [Link]
September 28, 2007
Del. Todd Schuler (D-Baltimore County) said he plans to co-sponsor a civil marriage bill when it is introduced in the House of Delegates. He said he thinks about his wife and how he would feel if she were in an accident and he could not make decisions about her care. "I don't know what I would do," he said. "If they extend marriage rights to anyone, they should extend them to everyone. Churches don't have any right to tell the state who they can and cannot marry, any more than the state has the right to tell anyone who they can and cannot marry." [Link]
OPINION: Continuing the fight
Posted on Sep 28, 2007 at 02:25 pm
Washington Blade
September 28, 2007
Dan Furmansky, the Executive Director of Equality Maryland reflected on the disappointing decision in the Maryland marriage case: "Equality Maryland's staff and board members share your feelings of disbelief and shock. We are taking the time to be angry and sad, but rest assured, we are already moving ahead. As you have likely heard, we will be asking the Maryland General Assembly to pass the Religious Freedom & Civil Marriage Protection Act during the 2008 session." [Link]
September 28, 2007
Dan Furmansky, the Executive Director of Equality Maryland reflected on the disappointing decision in the Maryland marriage case: "Equality Maryland's staff and board members share your feelings of disbelief and shock. We are taking the time to be angry and sad, but rest assured, we are already moving ahead. As you have likely heard, we will be asking the Maryland General Assembly to pass the Religious Freedom & Civil Marriage Protection Act during the 2008 session." [Link]
COMMENTARY: Marriage still overcoming past
Posted on Apr 19, 2007 at 02:36 pm
Examiner
April 19, 2007
When Maryland's highest court heard oral arguments in the lawsuit seeking marriage for same-sex couples in December, James and Colette Roberts paid attention. These Marylanders, married in 1959, could not have done so in the Free State at that time because state law prohibited interracial marriages until 1967. [Link]
April 19, 2007
When Maryland's highest court heard oral arguments in the lawsuit seeking marriage for same-sex couples in December, James and Colette Roberts paid attention. These Marylanders, married in 1959, could not have done so in the Free State at that time because state law prohibited interracial marriages until 1967. [Link]
Discriminatory marriage ban dies in MD, but so does trans rights bill
Posted on Mar 30, 2007 at 02:38 pm
Washington Blade
March 30, 2007
Maryland lawmakers have killed an attempt to write discrimination against same-sex couples into the state constitution for the fourth consecutive year. But the overwhelmingly Democratic legislature failed to pass a measure to bar discrimination against the state's transgender residents and workers. [Link]
March 30, 2007
Maryland lawmakers have killed an attempt to write discrimination against same-sex couples into the state constitution for the fourth consecutive year. But the overwhelmingly Democratic legislature failed to pass a measure to bar discrimination against the state's transgender residents and workers. [Link]