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Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley has said he is open to signing a same-sex marriage bill if it passes the General Assembly. Gay Marylanders are hoping elected officials will take up their cause after striking out on the judicial front in September.
(Photo by Matt Houston/AP)
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HOME > NEWS > LOCAL
By: JOSHUA LYNSEN COMMENTS
 
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he said. “People in long-term relationships, people with children, people with other obligations who are living a life not of casual sexual encounters but of long-term, meaningful relationships that run into unexpected problems.”
Madaleno said Miller, like Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, is learning about the inequalities that gay Americans face.
“He’s on that same journey of knowing more people in his life who are open and seeing the day-to-day issues that we face, and at the same time trying to balance that with his long-held religious beliefs and just personal feelings on the issue,” Madaleno said. “I think Miller is on that same path, as are many people in our country and many people in politics.”
Furmansky said Equality Maryland members in Miller’s district are helping to educate the lawmaker while activists work more broadly to advance the Religious Freedom & Civil Marriage Protection Act.
“People refer to the Senate president as some massive obstacle,” he said, “when really I believe the onus is on our community to deliver the votes first and assure that leadership remains open, which seems increasingly promising.”
Although the marriage bill is stealing attention, other measures affecting gay Marylanders are expected to come before lawmakers this session.
An effort by Del. Don Dwyer (R-Anne Arundel County) to ban same-sex marriages in the state constitution has been targeted for defeat by Equality Maryland.
“In the absence of the court mandating equal marriage rights, we’ll still continue to take the threat of a constitutional ban seriously,” Furmansky said, “but intend to play a strong offensive line while maintaining our defensive line.”
He said a measure that would bar discrimination against transgender people in areas such as housing and employment will again go before lawmakers. A similar bill offered last session died in committee.
“The bill will absolutely be introduced again,” Furmansky said. “It’s a priority of the organization.”
Madaleno said the measure’s passage likely would hinge on the decision of one committee member: Sen. C. Anthony Muse (D-Prince George’s County), who last year voted against the bill.
“It’s a matter of him being convinced to vote ‘yes’ this year,” Madaleno said. “So we&rsqu
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