Trying to Build a Majority in Maryland Senate for Marriage Bill
February 07, 2011
Posted by Annie Linskey and Julie Bykowicz on baltimoresun.com:
"As a lifelong Roman Catholic, state Sen. Katherine Klausmeier grew up with the clear understanding that marriage is between a man and a woman.
"But the Baltimore County Democrat also empathizes with young gay couples, including two women who recently sat in her office and described the joy of raising children.
"As the Senate prepares to consider making same-sex marriage legal in Maryland, Klausmeier wakes up in the morning believing she'll vote one way, but by the end of the day has a different idea.
… "Klausmeier is one of a half-dozen lawmakers who have yet to declare a position on the bill — a group large enough to determine its fate.
"A Sun analysis of the 47-member chamber shows 20 solid supporters; 24 are needed for passage. Of the six who are undeclared, Klausmeier and Democratic Sens. Joan Carter Conway and Ulysses Currie said they remain undecided; Sens. John Astle, Edward Kasemeyer and James Rosapepe, all Democrats, declined to share their voting plans.
… "If the Senate approves the measure, it will go to the House of Delegates, where its backers say they have the votes to pass it.
"Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat, has said he would sign such a bill. Opponents could then seek a referendum to overturn it, and the voters would decide.
"With passage, Maryland would become the sixth state to recognize same-sex marriage. It is also legal in the District of Columbia.
"The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, a majority of whose members support the bill, hears testimony Tuesday. But the debate is already under way.
"Gay-rights group Equality Maryland is planning a Valentine's Day lobbying blitz, and the Maryland Catholic Conference says it will bring hundreds of opponents to Annapolis the following week.
"The schedules of undeclared lawmakers have filled with visits from church leaders and same-sex couples.
"Even those who have made their positions known are hearing from activists. Sen. James Robey, a Howard County Democrat who supports the bill, said his office received something like 55 calls in a row from opponents last week.
… "Sen. Richard Madaleno, Maryland's first only openly gay state senator, said he has not lobbied his colleagues. But the Montgomery County Democrat hopes his presence — and that of his partner of 10 years and their two young adopted children — have had an influence on them.
"After several years pushing for gay marriage, he has called this year a 'magical moment' for the movement.
"Religion has loomed large in the debate.
… "The Rev. Derek McCoy, leader of a political action committee called Maryland Citizen's Clergy, is organizing pastors to preach against the bill on Sundays.
… "Other faith-based organizations support the legislation. New Ways Ministry is planning a conference in Pikesville that organizer Francis DeBernardo said will point out that lay Catholics 'have a different approach to the question of marriage equality than their bishops do.'
"The bill, which its authors have named the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, would not require religious institutions to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies, or give money or special privileges to any that do.
… "Brochin, a Baltimore County Democrat, also received an office visit from a lesbian couple from Lutherville, Sally Wall and Pat Montley, who have lived together for 31 years.
"'He's very cordial and gracious to us,' Wall said. 'But he has been very forthright about his position.'
"Brochin said intends to vote against the bill, citing the large number of Orthodox Jews and Catholics he represents.
"But Klausmeier was moved by the lesbian couple who came to see her recently.
"'They have a baby, and they are just so excited about it,' she said. 'You think, 'Why do I have to interfere with their happiness?''
"She reflects on her upbringing, when she was taught to view marriage as between a man and a woman.
"'But as time goes on, I have more friends who are gay, and they are no different than I am,' she said. 'No matter what I do, I'm going to have people angry with me.'
Polls show that Marylanders are closely divided on the issue. Fifty-one percent surveyed by Gonzales Research last month said they would support legislation to recognize same-sex marriage; 44 percent said they would oppose it."
Read the full article here.