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发帖数: 4174 | 1 Posted on Advocate.com January 25, 2011
Story Updated : January 25, 2011 11:45:00 AM
Marriage Equality Bill Introduced in Maryland
By Julie Bolcer
A marriage equality bill has been introduced in the Maryland house of
delegates, following introduction of the bill in the state senate last week.
Lawmakers and advocates including Equality Maryland, Freedom to Marry, and
representatives from religious and civil rights groups held a press
conference at the state capitol in Annapolis Tuesday morning to announce the
introduction of the legislation. According to the media advisory, the
Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, which was introduced in
the house by majority leader Kumar Barve, “ends the exclusion of committed
same-sex couples from civil marriage and protects the religious freedom of
churches and synagogues.”
Last week the measure was introduced in the senate by majority leader Rob
Garagiola, whose lead sponsorship of the bill is considered one of many
favorable indicators this session. As of Friday, 18 senators had signed on
as cosponsors of the bill, which needs 24 votes to pass the senate.
"Same-sex couples are now free to marry in five states and next door in the
District of Columbia as well as a dozen countries worldwide," said Freedom
to Marry political director Sean Eldridge in remarks at the press conference
Tuesday. "And in each of these places, the sky has not fallen, and families
have been helped, with no one hurt. Because there is no good reason to
continue excluding same-sex couples from marriage, Freedom to Marry supports
the work of our Maryland partners to pass the Religious Freedom and Civil
Marriage Protection Act into law."
Backers expect committee hearings and a vote in the full senate next month,
followed by movement in the house in March. In a call with bloggers Friday,
advocates projected confidence the bill would pass both chambers by the time
the Democratic-controlled legislature adjourns in April. However,
opposition is expected from the Maryland Catholic Conference, the National
Organization for Marriage, and a new NOM-affiliated group, Protect Marriage
Maryland.
Gov. Martin O’Malley has said he will sign the marriage equality bill | g********d
发帖数: 4174 | 2 "the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act"
你FREE，我MARRY，谁也别管谁。 |
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