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发帖数: 19713 | 1 By Julie Bolcer
MARTIN OMALLEY X390
Maryland governor Martin O’Malley introduced marriage equality legislation
Monday with clarification on protections for religious institutions and
leaders.
A survey commissioned in October by the Human Rights Campaign and conducted
by the Garin Hart Yang polling firm showed that 51 percent would support
same-sex marriage in Maryland if the issue went to referendum.
Another poll, conducted by Gonzales Research and Marketing Strategies, that
surveyed voters about several statewide issues put support for same-sex
marriage at 48 percent among Marylanders who vote regularly.A survey
commissioned in October by the Human Rights Campaign and conducted by the
Garin Hart Yang polling firm showed that 51 percent would support same-sex
marriage in Maryland if the issue went to referendum.
The Baltimore Sun reports that O’Malley said he hoped the new language
would make the religious protections “a little clearer” and help the bill
garner “additional support.” The bill passed the senate for the first time
last year with bipartisan support, but opposition from lawmakers with
religious ties, including those connected to influential African-American
churches in Prince George’s County, contributed to the bill’s failure to
receive a vote on the house floor.
O’Malley spokeswoman Raquel Guillory said the new bill extends legal
protections to leaders of religious groups, compared to last year’s bill
that only protected institutions.
“The bill also makes clear that religious leaders, not the state, control
theological doctrine, Guillory said,” according to the Sun. “And it
further limits any punitive actions — like denying government funds — that
the state could take against religious organizations for failing to perform
same-sex marriages.”
Governor O’Malley, who has made the bill one of his legislative priorities
this year, said he was not sure whether the changes would lead to more
support. The state’s Roman Catholic bishops have strongly opposed the bill,
while the Marylanders for Marriage Equality coalition has been working to
build support among the state’s significant African-American population
with videos featuring celebrities such as actress Mo’Nique and former NAACP
chairman Julian Bond.
Opponents of the bill have threatened to challenge it with a referendum this
fall. According to The Gazette of Politics and Business, a survey
commissioned by the Human Rights Campaign in October found that 51% of
respondents would support marriage equality if it went to the ballot in the
state. Meanwhile, a poll from Gonzales Research and Marketing Strategies
last week indicated that 48% of Maryland voters support marriage equality.
The Washington Post reports that O’Malley is scheduled to host a breakfast
Tuesday morning with same-sex couples in Annapolis. He will discuss the
marriage equality bill at a news conference afterward with lawmakers, clergy
and labor leaders.
The Sun also reports that the bill will have a hearing in the senate
judicial proceedings committee on January 31. |
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