Mayor Michael Bloomberg pushes for the freedom to marry in Maryland
October 12, 2012
This month, the campaign to win marriage for same-sex couples in Maryland is getting an all-star push from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Bloomberg, a steadfast advocate of the freedom to marry and perpetual proponent of repealing the so-called Defense of Marriage Act at the federal level, has invested significant time and resources into the Maryland campaign this week.
Today, he announced a donation of $250,000 to support the campaign to win marriage for same-sex couples in Maryland. On November 6, Marylanders will be faced with Question 6, a referendum on whether to affirm or reject a state law that would allow same-sex couples in the state to marry. His donation is now the largest individual contribution that the Vote For 6 campaign has received.
In addition to supporting the campaign with the sizable donation, Mayor Bloomberg has been advocating on behalf of Maryland couples through emails and other communications. He sent an email out this morning through the Vote For 6 campaign. His email reads:
Maryland will always hold a special place in my heart. I went to college at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore and have remained active in the Hopkins community. So when Governor O'Malley asked me to support Question 6, I didn't hesitate.
As a business leader and Mayor of New York City, I do not believe that government has any business telling one class of couples that they cannot marry. The 14th Amendment guarantees us all equal protection under the law, and that's what Question 6 does - it treats all citizens equally under the law, while protecting religious liberty at the same time.
Two years ago, I was proud to support the effort to pass marriage equality in the State of New York - and the bi-partisan support it received resulted in one of our state's great civil rights victories.
He goes on to ask readers to VOTE FOR QUESTION 6 in order to uphold the freedom to marry for all loving and committed same-sex couples.
Mayor Bloomberg is one of the chairs of Freedom to Marry's Mayors for the Freedom to Marry coalition. Read more about Mayors for the Freedom to Marry here.
Mayor Bloomberg's support will continue to ensure that Marylanders continue considering the positive of impact that voting for Question 6 and for the freedom to marry will have on Maryland. Marriage builds stronger families and contributes to stronger communities, and it's wonderful to see Mayor Bloomberg advocating so greatly on the behalf of these values.
Learn more about Marylanders for Marriage Equality and Question 6 at their website, and read about all four states facing ballot measures HERE.