Advocates, lawmakers kick off gay marriage push
A dozen lawmakers from the Maryland House and Senate formally kicked off their push for gay marriage this afternoon using sweeping comparisons to the civil rights battles and generational shifts in attitude.
House freshman Keiffer Mitchell from Baltimore said "years from now children will ask where you were" on the issue. "History will record where we stood." He held up a pen used by Gov. Spiro Agnew to sign the law allowing interracial marriage, and said he hopes to have a similar stylus from Gov. Martin O'Malley this year if gay marriage passes.
House Majority Leader Kumar Barve said the bill "goes to the very core of what it means to be an American." He also reference the next generation. "Twenty years from now I look forward to the day when young people will say 'What was the big deal?'"
The Senate bill, sponsored by Majority Leader Rob Garagiola and Sen. Rich Madaleno, was introduced last week and has a total of 18 sponsors. Twenty-four votes are needed for final passage, though the bill will almost definitely be subject to a filibuster. Garagiola said advocates are working "very, very hard" to secure the votes to overcome that hurdle.
House freshman Keiffer Mitchell from Baltimore said "years from now children will ask where you were" on the issue. "History will record where we stood." He held up a pen used by Gov. Spiro Agnew to sign the law allowing interracial marriage, and said he hopes to have a similar stylus from Gov. Martin O'Malley this year if gay marriage passes.
House Majority Leader Kumar Barve said the bill "goes to the very core of what it means to be an American." He also reference the next generation. "Twenty years from now I look forward to the day when young people will say 'What was the big deal?'"
The Senate bill, sponsored by Majority Leader Rob Garagiola and Sen. Rich Madaleno, was introduced last week and has a total of 18 sponsors. Twenty-four votes are needed for final passage, though the bill will almost definitely be subject to a filibuster. Garagiola said advocates are working "very, very hard" to secure the votes to overcome that hurdle.
Comments
I sure wish this passes thru. Is their a guide which advised on the process of the legislation -- committee meetings, # votes in each chamber and so on and the expected timeline for the same
Posted by: SA | January 25, 2011 1:14 PM
SA,
Just sign up on Equality Maryland's website. They will keep you updated on what's going on.
Posted by: unrest | January 25, 2011 2:19 PM
We have members of the LGBT community on the streets suffering and we are worried about MARRIAGE?
Where will history show YOU stood on THAT issue. The question of decency and moral imperative. The homeless and unemployed LGBTs on the streets will not benefit from the ability to marry. Pass a complete GIADA first !
Posted by: Jenna Elizabeth | January 26, 2011 3:23 PM