Aug 04, 2006  |  By: JOSHUA LYNSEN  | COMMENTS     

Equality Maryland this week endorsed Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley (D) in his bid to unseat Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich, despite O’Malley’s opposition to same-sex marriage.

The statewide gay rights group released a candidate questionnaire in which O’Malley indicated he opposes amending the state’s constitution to ban gay marriage, even though he believes marriage should be reserved for heterosexual couples. The announcement marks the first time O’Malley’s views on the amendment effort have been made public, after months of avoiding the question.

“Martin O’Malley has been a friend to the gay community for a long time, dating back to the time when he served on the Baltimore City Council,” said Equality Maryland Executive Director Dan Furmansky.

“There’s no doubt that he would work with the LGBT community to make important advancements, oppose a constitutional amendment, and represent a welcome breath of fresh air from the politics of Gov. Bob Ehrlich.”

O’Malley was criticized earlier this year by his former opponent in the Democratic primary, Doug Duncan, for not taking a public stance on the amendment. Duncan, who opposed the amendment effort but also opposed full marriage rights for gays, later dropped out of the race, citing depression, leaving O’Malley as the presumed Democratic nominee.

According to his Equality Maryland questionnaire, O’Malley answered “yes” when asked if he would “oppose any amendment whatsoever to the Maryland constitution that bans marriage for same-sex couples?”

Gay marriage opponents introduced a measure to ban same-sex unions via constitutional amendment during the 2006 General Assembly session. The amendment was killed by the House Judiciary Committee.

O’Malley noted in accompanying comments that as governor, he would encourage respect for all Marylanders.

 “Instead of playing politics with the rights of Marylanders,” he wrote, “our governor should be focused on how we can strengthen middle class families and citizens.”

Ehrlich, the state’s first Republican governor in a generation, is seeking reelection this fall. He supports amending the Maryland Constitution to ban gay marriage.

Skirting the issue?

O’Malley reiterated in the Equality Maryland questionnaire that he does not support full marriage equality for gay couples.

In the questionnaire, O’Malley noted that he supports “expanding legal, civil, and social rights and acceptance for individuals in a committed domestic partnership.”

 “I have long stood with the LGBT community in fighting for basic rights and respect,” he wrote, “and, if elected governor, I will continue to stand with Equality Maryland and its members as we work to create basic respect for all Marylanders.”

Lea Gilmore, Equality Maryland’s political & campaign director, said despite the opposition to full marriage equality, O’Malley has earned the support of gay voters.

 “He clearly understands the struggle for fairness and justice for the LGBT community,” she said. “And even though he’s not 100 percent with us on marriage as yet, as governor, over the years, I think we can educate him on this important issue.”

O’Malley had been criticized for sidestepping questions about the amendment effort.

Equality Maryland said April 17 that O’Malley did not give a concise “yes” or “no” answer when the group Progressive Maryland asked in its candidate questionnaire, “Do you oppose a Maryland constitutional amendment to define marriage?”

O’Malley skirted the issue for months. He issued a statement about same-sex marriage in January after a Baltimore Circuit Court judge ruled that it is unconstitutional to ban gay couples from marrying.

 “I was raised to believe that marriage is between a man and a woman,” that statement said. “This is a fundamental issue of the state’s public policy, and a decision that ultimately should not be made by a single trial court judge. The Court of Appeals should review this matter, and any legislative action would be premature until the court acts.”

Gilmore applauded O’Malley for publicly clarifying his stance on the issue.

 “What is so admirable is that he took this questionnaire — and he knows this is public — and he stands on these principles,” she said. “We are enthusiastically and with great confidence supporting O’Malley.”

In his questionnaire, O’Malley also indicated that he supports adding “gender identity or expression” to the state’s anti-discrimination law.

O’Malley noted he supports extending benefits to the domestic partners of state employees, opposes “abstinence only” education in schools, and would generally work to advance gay causes.

74 candidates win
gay group’s support

O’Malley was one of 74 candidates endorsed this week by Equality Maryland, the state’s largest gay rights group.

The endorsements held few surprises. The list included no Republicans, and was largely populated by incumbents. Regardless, Gilmore said the endorsements are meaningful.

 “This is a monumentally good thing for the LGBT community to be able to leverage its voice ...