Gay marriage debate shifts to House
More than a dozen state lawmakers testified today in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage in Maryland, an unusual show of legislative support even as it is unclear if proponents will be able to muster the votes for passage this year.
The House Judiciary Committee also heard bills that would establish civil unions or domestic partnerships and a bill to put a constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex marriage on the November ballot. A Senate panel heard similar legislation two weeks ago.
"You don't have to like us. You don't have to invite us to dinner with your family. You don't even have to respect us and our relationship," Del. Heather R. Mizeur, who is openly gay, testified. "But we do expect you treat us equally under the law."
Opponents noted that while lawmakers might be more vocal this year, that doesn't necessarily mean that momentum is on their side.
"A constituency has increased their visibility and advocacy, and people who agree with them in the General Assembly have been more overt," said Richard J. Dowling, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference.
Comments
Richard J. Dowling, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference should be ashamed of himself for making the remarks he has on MD Delegate Bromwell's withdrawal of HB 858.
Statements made by him that "other dioceses have been crippled when similar legislation was passed in their states forcing the closure of parishes and the elimination or reduction of improtant ministries" are untrue and he knows that.
Nothing of the kind has happened in any of the dioceses in the few states that have upgraded their child abuse legislation.
And that is definitely not the case in the Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware.
And is has not been the case in any of the five dioceses that have declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which, by the way does not mean they were going bankrupt but were simply reorganizing in a move to avoid going to court and having to produce files and records in the public venue.
Displays of such short-sighted self interest are an embarassment to all people of good will and only that much more shameful for any religious denomination.
Posted by: SISTER MAUREEN PAUL TURLISH | February 28, 2008 8:47 PM