Gay Marriage in Maryland

Gay Marriage in Maryland: The Long Awaited Decision On February 24th, 2011, the Maryland Senate voted to pass SB 116, the “Civil Marriage Protection Act,” a decision that would allow gays to marry in Maryland. After complex debates and discussions, the Judiciary Committee will vote on the bill tonight, March fourth, 2011. Lead Sponsor of the bill, Senator Rob Garagiola (D-15) celebrates the bill’s passing through the senate, “This is a historic and proud moment in Maryland’s history… I am honored to be a part of this effort and am confident that the Free State will realize full marriage equality in 2011.” Six openly gay members of the Maryland House support the bill, but of the twelve votes required, various members such as Tiffany Alston have been contemplating their final decision on gay marriage. Alston debates, “…it’s a very important, deeply personal issue…I need time to think it through. I need time to pray…” Morgan Meneses-Sheets, Executive Director of Equality Maryland commends the bill’s success on February 24th, thanking, “Senator Garagiola, Madaleno, and Raskin for their tremendous leadership. We are proud of all the 25 senators who stood up for the fairness today and voted to support SB116. We also thank the thousands of Marylanders who have not only worked tirelessly, but also opened their hearts to share their stories and their experiences with the senators to explain why marriage matters…the majority of folks in the Free State support the freedom to marry. Today our State Senate proved they also stand for fairness for all Maryland’s families. Marriage and family are about love and commitment, and we are committed to helping pass marriage equality. Today we celebrate-tomorrow we focus our attention on the House Hearing on HB 175.” Debates have immersed the House in indecision. Delegate Heather Muzeur (DMontgomery County) argues, “and while it’s love that makes a family, it is marriage that protects it…A state sanctioned marriage license protects us when one of you is in the hospital or when we need health insurance or when we need to visit each other in a nursing home or make financial decisions for each other or make a life and death decision for each other.” Nigel Simon, a husband of Dr. Alvin Williams, explains, “It’s more than just a debate for us. It means a solidification of our family, that we’re not legal strangers in the eyes of the law.” Others, such as Executive Director of Parents and Friends Ministries, Anthony Falazarano, speaks differently, asserts, “I spent two years in recovery… I am now married for over 25 years and have two grown children. I am proof that homosexuals are not born that way.” Today, Friday the fourth, marks a critical point in Maryland law. New supporters have emerged this morning, including Delegate Sam Arora (D-Montgomery County), who intends to vote for the bill tonight. With no support of legal civil unions, Maryland is

left to take a side.