Maryland's Governor Introduces Same-Sex Marriage bill

With Washington State poised to enact same sex marriage, Maryland's Governor Martin O'Malley (pictured at left) introduced legislation Monday night to legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland. The bill reportedly contains more broad protections for groups that would not want to perform or honor same-sex marriages in an effort to blunt objections against last year's unsuccessful bill. Nonetheless, Christianists and the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy - and, of course, the haters at NOM- must have their panties in a major wad. Despite the rhetoric of the far right, the sole reason these groups oppose marriage equality is because they seek to inflict their often sick religious beliefs on all of society and punish gays for not knuckling under and living their lives per Christianist dictates. Here are highlights from the Baltimore Sun on the legislative effort:

Gov. Martin O'Malley introduced legislation Monday night to legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland, presenting a bill to the General Assembly that aides said would offer broad protections for groups that would not want to perform or honor same-sex marriages. The governor, his staff and advocates worked throughout the day to hammer out language detailing religious protections. They distributed the new legislative language moments before the 8 p.m. session began.

The language provided Monday night made a few key changes, according to Raquel Guillory, a spokeswoman for O'Malley. She said the bill extended legal protections to leaders of religious groups, while last year's bill shielded only institutions.

The bill also makes clear that religious leaders, not the state, control theological doctrine, Guillory said. 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

The coalition supporting same-sex marriage captured headlines in the fall by releasing a steady stream of web videos featuring boldface names including Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, Oscar winner Mo'Nique and former NAACP chairman Julian Bond.

Opponents planned a day of prayer that a same-sex marriage bill will fail. They said there would be Sunday sermons focused on traditional marriage and a rally in Annapolis. They united forces under the banner the Maryland Marriage Alliance.

Supporters promised daily phone banks to drum up support for a same-sex marriage bill, and they pledged to bus their troops to Annapolis the day before Valentine's Day. Their coalition is called Marylanders for Marriage Equality.

The contrast between Virginia where bills have been introduced by Republicans to expressly permit anti-gay discrimination and Washington State and Maryland is striking. Virginia under the GOP continues it race back to the 19th century. Meanwhile, young college educated residents continue their exodus from Hampton Roads for more progressive areas. It's very depressing.