Maryland
In 2007, Maryland lawmakers killed an attempt to write marriage discrimination into the state constitution for the fourth consecutive year. Just as Marylanders are succeeding in protecting their constitution, they are also fighting to end the exclusion of same-sex couples and their families from marriage. Although the state Supreme Court wrote a disappointing decision upholding marriage discrimination, state advocacy groups, religious organizations, and Maryland lawmakers are continuing to move forward to protect all families.
FROM EVAN WOLFSON:
"Marriage Makes a Word of
Difference"
Originally published by
Portland Mercury
June 14, 2007
By Evan Wolfson
Evan Wolfson answers the question so often asked of same-sex
couples wanting to end their exclusion from marriage, "Why
can't you just call it something else?," by explaining how
the "clarity, security, and dignity [of the word marriage] is
precious and irreplaceable."
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WHERE YOU CAN GO TO GET INVOLVED OR LEARN MORE:
Equality Maryland
Equality Maryland is Maryland's largest LGBT civil rights group, with
thousands of members across the entire state. Equality Maryland works
to secure and protect the rights of LGBT Marylanders by promoting
legislative initiatives on the state, county and municipal levels.
ACLU-Maryland: Civil Marriage Equality
The Maryland ACLU works to ensure that all people in the state of
Maryland are free to think and speak as they choose and can lead their
lives free from discrimination and unwarranted government intrusion.
Maryland Black Family Alliance
The Maryland Black Family Alliance is a coalition of Black families
and leaders. They are people of many faiths. They stand for fairness,
justice and equality for all families.
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LEGISLATIVE STATUS IN MARYLAND:
Your Community—Maryland
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
HRC presents resources, news, and the current marriage and
relationship recognition laws in each state.
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PUBLICATIONS:
Maryland Census Snapshot
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, this report provides demographic and economic information about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children in Maryland.
Geographic Trends Among Same-Sex Couples in the U.S. Census and the
American Community Survey
Williams Institute
November 2007
Gary Gates at the Williams Institute released groundbreaking research
on the geographic trends among same-sex couples. The report finds the
biggest increases in Southern and Mountain states and states barring
legal acceptance of same-sex couples had larger percentage increases
in same-sex couples from 2000 to 2006.
Marriage Inequality in the State of Maryland
Equality Maryland
February 2006
Equality Maryland reviewed the Maryland Code for provisions that
discriminated against same-sex couples based on marital status or the
definition of family. Their review found more than 425 provisions that
disparately treat or unambiguously discriminate against same-sex
couples, who are unable to marry.
What's in a Word? A Religious Perspective on Civil Marriage Equality
Equality Maryland
This brochure was produced by a group of clergy who support marriage
for same-sex couples and who come from a variety of religious traditions. It
is not designed to change anyone's religious beliefs. Rather, the clergy have
come to believe through intimate knowledge of families headed by same-sex
couples that ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from legal
marriage is the morally correct thing to do.
Jumping the Broom
National Black Justice Coalition
2005
An excellent publication released by the National Black Justice
Coalition and Equality Maryland offering a "Black Perspective on Same
Gender Marriage." This important resource includes data, personal
stories, and quotes in support of ending discrimination in marriage
from African American leaders across the country.
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NEWS:
Medical rights for gay couples approved
The House of Delegates has approved a bill to allow domestic partners, who could be gay or straight, to make medical or funeral decisions for each other if they meet certain criteria to show they are a committed couple. The bill has already passed the Senate and is now headed to Gov. Martin O'Malley to be signed.
From the altar, a vow of protest
A Baltimore rabbi joined a small but growing band of clergy who have decided that they won't sign any marriage licenses as agents of the state until it allows gays and lesbians to marry. Some rabbis and ministers in states including Virginia, Minnesota, Michigan and Connecticut have told their congregants that when it comes to weddings they are in the business of religious ceremonies - only - and they have redirected couples to the local courthouse for the paperwork.
Baltimore City Council backs equality
The Baltimore city council became the fourth Maryland jurisdiction to pass a resolution supporting the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. The resolution was passed by a 9-3-3 vote on Monday.
MD lawmakers urged to avoid civil union 'disaster'
Steven Goldstein remembers once touting civil unions as “a big step forward” for gay couples. But one year after New Jersey enacted the option and inadvertently triggered a host of unforeseen problems, the chair of Garden State Equality told Maryland legislators they can do better. “I’m here to tell you today that the New Jersey civil union law is a disaster,” he said. “It is not working like marriage. It is proving that civil unions are no compromise. Civil unions do not provide all the rights and benefits of marriage simply without the name. Civil unions are not a major step forward.”
Marriage equality is sensible
Societies that are tolerant, free and diverse tend to be richer and happier than societies that aren't. Maryland has shown this for decades. Now is the time to extend the legacy by ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage. The move would beam welcome signals not just to gays and lesbians but to all members of the young "creative class" who represent the economic and social future. Not coincidentally, it's the right thing to do. More and more research shows how inextricably linked tolerance and prosperity really are. No religion, race or sexual orientation has a monopoly on talent. States wanting to stay ahead must show that their doors are open to everybody.
County residents say same-sex marriage bill will help them
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.
New marriage battle ahead for MD
"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."
MD senator tirelessly fought for civil rights
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.
MD marriage bill finds early support
Equality Maryland is “fairly close” to meeting its goal of lining up 35 House and Senate cosponsors for the Religious Freedom & Civil Marriage Protection Act, according to Carrie Evans, the group’s policy director.
Black politicians, ministers form new MD rights group
Baltimore Sun
October 25, 2007
In an effort to raise support for gay and lesbian people within black
communities around the state, former political action chairman for the
Maryland NAACP Elbridge James and other activists have formed the
Maryland Black Family Alliance, a group of predominantly non-gay
African-American leaders pledging their support for marriage equality.
MD Gov. open to signing marriage bill
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.
MD marriage ruling leads to vows for legislation in General Assembly
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."
OPINION: Continuing the fight
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."
Non-gay allies integral to MD marriage fight
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."
COMMENTARY: Marriage still overcoming past
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.
Discriminatory marriage ban dies in MD, but so does trans rights bill
Washington Blade
March 30, 2007
Maryland lawmakers have killed an attempt to ban same-sex marriage in
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.
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MULTIMEDIA:
VIDEO: Baltimore church shows support for gay couples
WJZ
February 11, 2007
In an effort to show their support for equal rights, the congregation
and ministers unveiled a banner saying they support civil marriage.
"We support them, some of us are them and we support them as human
beings, because all of us have inherent worth and dignity," said
Allison Farnam.
Heart of the Matter: Maryland's Same-Sex Couples Seek Justice for
their Families
Equality Maryland & ACLU
August 17, 2006
Equality Maryland and the ACLU, in partnership with the Megaphone
Project, released this documentary featuring the personal stories of
three of the couples in Maryland's equal marriage rights lawsuit,
Deane & Polyak v. Conaway.
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Williams Institute
November 2007
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, this report provides demographic and economic information about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children in Maryland.
An excellent publication released by the National Black Justice
Coalition and Equality Maryland, Jumping the Broom offers a "Black Perspective on Same
Gender Marriage." This important resource includes data, personal
stories, and quotes in support of ending discrimination in marriage
from African American leaders across the country.
Equality Maryland and the ACLU, in partnership with the Megaphone
Project, released this documentary featuring the personal stories of
three of the couples in Maryland's equal marriage rights lawsuit, Deane & Polyak v. Conaway.
