Oct 20, 2006  |  By: JOSHUA LYNSEN  | COMMENTS     

Maryland’s gubernatorial candidates avoided any mention of gay issues this week in the only two televised debates of the campaign.

The failure to address gay issues by Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich and his Democratic opponent, Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley, disappointed some gay activists.

“I think it would have been worthwhile,” said Meredith Moise, a Maryland representative of the National Black Justice Coalition. “I think LGBT voters need to know where both of these candidates stand in terms of marriage equality, and in terms of protecting them and their families.”

But the omission of gay topics pleased others, including Equality Maryland Executive Director Dan Furmansky.

“I believe that any time political debates fail to bring gay issues into play, it’s a good thing for the gay community,” he said. “The last thing we need to be is a political football for the Democratic and Republican candidates. We know who supports us, and we’ll support that person accordingly.”

Despite the lack of debate on gay marriage in the campaign, the state is poised to make national headlines when the Maryland Court of Appeals hears a case challenging the state’s ban on same-sex unions. Oral arguments are expected in December. Nine gay couples and a man whose partner died are parties to the suit seeking marriage rights. The case, Deane vs. Conaway, was filed in July 2004 by the American Civil Liberties Union and Equality Maryland. A lower court ruled that the state’s ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional.

O’Malley supports civil unions, but opposes gay marriage. He also opposes amending the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage.

Ehrlich endorsed an amendment effort, which died in committee earlier this year.

Ehrlich last year vetoed the Medical Decision Making Act, which would have given straight and gay unmarried couples several rights, including hospital visitation and medical decision-making power.

More recently, though, Ehrlich appointed an openly gay judge to the Baltimore District Court, and fired a state official for calling gays and lesbians “sexual deviants.”

Those issues were not discussed during Monday’s debate. Instead, Ehrlich and O’Malley focused on education, crime and taxes. The moderator did not ask either candidate to discuss gay issues.

But some observers, including Defend Maryland Marriage Chair Rick Bowers, said that discussion wasn’t needed.

“I don’t think it would have served any purpose,” he said. “I think that both of their positions have been pretty well laid out for all those who are concerned.”


Zeese assails GOP
over gay marriage

The U.S. Senate campaign in Maryland has similarly been devoid of debate on gay issues.

U.S. Senate candidates Rep. Ben Cardin (D), Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (R) and Kevin Zeese (Green Party) focused on other topics during their first debate Oct. 3.

Cardin favors civil unions over equal marriage rights. Steele opposes gay marriage, while Zeese supports equal marriage rights for gay couples.

The lone reference to gay marriage during the Oct. 3 debate came from Zeese, who said Republicans cite it as a reason why voters should oppose Democratic candidates.

He said Republicans would have voters believe that if Democrats win in November, “all the gays will get married — marriage will be destroyed. It’s all nonsense. It’s all exaggeration.”

Furmansky and Moise praised Zeese for making the point.

“I think that we need to look not just in the Maryland races, but in races all across the country, at how the parties use our community,” Moise said. “The rhetoric can be very divisive, which can be dangerous.”

Activists were grateful that Cardin called for greater equality in American society, and expressed hope that he might some day favor equal marriage rights.

Meanwhile, they criticized Steele for his pledge to “stand for the people of Maryland.” Furmansky and Moise said they have no reason yet to believe Steele would stand for gay Marylanders.

Bowers, however, said Steele holds the best interests of all Marylanders at heart.

“And with those he doesn’t agree, he will listen,” Bowers said. “I believe that’s all anyone should require of a public servant.”


‘A can of worms’

Furmansky said candidates in the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races likely omitted gay issues because such talk wouldn’t win them any new voters.

“I think with the swing voters that count, it’s not a factor,” he said. “I think it’s a factor for those of us who ...