Posts Tagged As: Maryland
March 1st, 2011
Meet Jill Carter. Jill represents Baltimore. She believes that your rights and my rights are less important than her own personal political advancement. She also believes that extortion is an appropriate methodology for getting her way.
Jill Carter is an ideal example of what people find objectionable in politicians. From now on when you hear someone say, “they’re all crooks, out for themselves, and they care nothing about principles or the people,” Jill Carter’s face should come to mind.
Carter had signed on as a sponsor of the marriage equality bill in Maryland. Then she did a vote count and thought, “oh, my vote counts. Without my support gay people can be denied their civil equality, so I’ll use my vote as an extortion tool to get what I want.” (Baltimore Sun)
Carter was one of two delegates supportive of gay marriage who staged a walkout this morning during a specially scheduled vote on the marriage proposal — which has already cleared the Senate and had been expected to make it out of the House committee today.
But Carter said there are “more important, or at least equally important” issues that she would like to see fast-tracked in the way that, in her view, gay marriage has been. And she said that until she hears from House leadership, she does not plan to cast a committee vote in favor of the Civil Marriage Protection Act.
She is a critical vote: The House Judiciary Committee contains only exactly enough “yes” votes to get the same-sex marriage proposal out of committee and to the House floor for debate by the entire 141-member chamber.
What a really nasty piece of work.
February 24th, 2011
The vote was 25-to-21. This vote is particularly delicious, since NOM’s Maggie Gallagher’s heavy-handed lobbying had the effect of flipping at least one vote from a “no” to a “yes.” The bill now goes to the House, where supporters say they are still a few votes short of passage.
February 23rd, 2011
The bill in the Maryland legislature to provide for marriage equality has been debated and reviewed by the state Senate. A few amendments were added which would allow the Knights of Columbus or other religion-based mutual insurance organizations to determine their own membership requirements, which would allow churches to restrict the use of their recreation halls to such marriage receptions as are consistent with their beliefs, and which would allow religious marriage seminars to limit their education to those that meet their beliefs. Several hostile amendments were rejected.
It appears that the bill has picked up an additional supporting senator and will soon move to the House (NECN)
State senators voted 25-22 Wednesday to advance the measure to a final vote, which could come as soon as Thursday.
February 17th, 2011
Legislation that would legalize same-sex marriages in Maryland was approved Thursday afternoon by a Senate committee, easily clearing the first hurdle needed for passage this year by the General Assembly.
The 7-to-4 vote by the Judicial Proceedings Committee sends the bill the Senate floor, where a lengthy and emotional debate is expected next week on the most high-profile social issue facing lawmakers during their 90-day session.
The bill appears to have the bare majority for passage in the full Senate. The Majority Leader (who opposes marriage equality but agreed not to stand in its way) predicts that the bill will pass.
February 2nd, 2011
Last month, Maryland Senate Minority Leader Allan Kittleman announced plans to sponsor a bill that would legalize civil unions. He said that he thought that marriage should only be a religious institution for all couples, gay and straight, and that the state should just recognize civil unions for everyone.
Besides being impractical (no one is voting to deny heterosexuals marriage any time soon), this angered some other Senate Republicans who oppose civil unions. Kittleman stepped down from leadership, saying that this would allow him the freedom to support goals that do not have the backing of the Republican caucus.
And it now appears that marriage is one such goal. (WaPo)
Sen. Allan H. Kittleman (R-Howard) formally announced his support Wednesday morning for legislation that would allow same-sex marriages in Maryland, saying he would vote for the bill “because of my firm belief in equal rights.”
With the announcement, Kittleman became the first — and will probably be the only — Senate Republican to back one of the most high-profile bills of the 90-day session. When the full chamber considers the bill in coming weeks, the vote is expected to be very close.
Kittleman sees this as an extension of the legacy of his father, a state senator who was a civil rights activist and president of the local NAACP chapter.
He also demonstrates that some people are capable of distinguishing between their personal faith and beliefs and the rights of citizens.
I know that some may contend that since the Bible teaches that marriage is between a man and a woman, Maryland should continue to prohibit same sex marriage. First, let me state that I am a strong follower of Jesus Christ. I worked in youth ministries for many years. However, while my faith may teach that marriage is between a man and a woman, our government is not a theocracy. As the state senator from District 9, I represent everyone in my district, regardless of their faith. Therefore, while my spiritual life is extremely important to me, it cannot be the sole basis for my decisions as a state senator.
Although Democrats have a greater than two-thirds majority, the vote is expected to be close and Kittleman’s support is much welcomed.
January 29th, 2011
From the Baltimore Sun
The legislative debate over same-sex marriage will get going in the Maryland Senate on Feb. 8.
That’s the date Senate Judicial Proceedings Chairman Brian Frosh has set for a hearing on the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, a bill that would allow Maryland to issue marriage licenses to gay couples. The hearing is set for 1 p.m., and will wrap in all other bills “relating to same-sex marriage and civil unions,” according to the schedule.
January 25th, 2011
First a little venting. If you are a research and polling company and you put out a press release about your latest poll, put the friggin thing on your website so people can read it!
Gonzales Research conducts a recurring poll about issues of importance in Maryland. And their results provide additional support for the quest to achieve marriage equality in that state (I’ll provide a link when I find it). (WaPo)
In the poll, 51 percent of voters say they would favor a law in Maryland allowing same-sex couples to marry, while 44 percent opposed such a law and 5 percent gave no response.
The poll has a 3.5% margin of error.
January 22nd, 2011
The process for enacting marriage equality in Maryland has begun. (Washington Post)
A bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Robert J. Garagiola (D-Montgomery) was introduced Friday.
Garagiola’s lead role “shows the very strong support there is within the body, and the Democratic caucus in particular,” said Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr. (D-Montgomery), an openly gay lawmaker who has served as lead sponsor of similar bills in previous years.
The bill will next go to the Judicial Proceedings Committee, where it is expected to pass within the next two or three weeks and return to the Senate floor. It is speculated that there are adequate votes in the Senate (35 of the 47 Senators are Democrats) but that is uncertain.
Should it pass the Senate, the House Majority leader will be sponsoring the bill in that body where support appears to be stronger.
Should the marriage bill not pass, Allan Kittleman, Senate Minority Leader, is sponsoring a civil unions bill. This bill has a bit of a twist, it would allow civil unions for both gay and straight couples; it is based on his views that the state should recognize unions (gay and straight) and leave it to churches to assign marriage sacraments.
But Kittleman’s position has come with a cost. The Senate Republican Caucus does not support his civil unions scheme. He has stepped down from the leadership position to allow someone more socially conservative to lead and allow him the freedom to pursue his legislative goals without worrying whether the caucus is behind him.
However, it is fairly certain that before the year is out that Maryland will have either civil unions or marriage equality and the odds are on marriage.
January 7th, 2011
From the Washington Post:
Miller has given his blessing to a committee realignment that all but ensures that a gay-marriage measure will make it to the Senate floor during this year’s session, which starts Wednesday – and presumably onto the desk of Gov. Martin O’Malley (D), who pledged last year to sign it.
I have been frustrated with Maryland politics for years, but it does look like this year may be the year in which the Democratic Party in Maryland places equality for gay citizens as a higher priority than the religious beliefs of specific individual legislators. I will be delighted to joyously let bygones be bygones if they come through for our community.
My only complaint with the WaPo article is that they speak of “a coterie of moderate Democrats and vocal Republicans opposing any endorsement of gay rights.” But these opponents are not “moderate Democrats” at all and it is unfair to moderate Democrats around the nation to describe them thusly.
These Democrats aren’t “moderate” on any issues other than their opposition to equality under the law for gay people. They are liberal Democrats who, due to their religious adherence, hold deep animus to gay people and who use the position of authority to which they have been entrusted as a tool to harm gay men and women in their state. And there’s nothing “moderate” (or “liberal”) about that.
Interestingly, the Republican Minority Leader response is one that I often see championed in the comments at BTB. While he proposes a civil unions alternative, it doesn’t go as far as he would like in reducing marriage recognition for all:
“My goal is to have complete equality,” Sen. Allan H. Kittleman (R-Howard) said. In a sense.
If he had his druthers, Kittleman would do away with civil marriage altogether, he said, making it a purely religious institution. But that would have left straight couples high and dry vis-a-vis the federal government, which wouldn’t extend the benefits of marriage to those who are merely united civilly.
So he’ll opt that gay couples just be left high and dry instead. Yet he made comments that leave the possibility that Maryland may get bipartisan support when the marriage bill is passed.
December 1st, 2010
Upon the governor’s signature, Illinois will become the second state that is currently offering civil unions to same-sex couples. The status of the various recognition mechanisms is as follows:
Marriage on the same terms as heterosexual marriage – 5.1% of US Population:
Massachusetts
Connecticut
Iowa
Vermont
New Hampshire
District of Columbia
Civil Unions – a rights except the name – 7.1% of US Population:
New Jersey
Illinois
Domestic Partnerships will all the rights except the name – 16.3% of US Population
California
Oregon
Washington
Nevada
Limited recognition of same-sex couples – 6.2% of US Population
Hawaii – Reciprocal Benefits
Colorado – Reciprocal Benefits
Wisconsin – Domestic Partnerships
Maine – Domestic Partnerships
Maryland – Domestic Partnerships
In addition, the states of Maryland and New York (6.4% of US Population) will give full recognition to same-sex marriages conducted where legal. Rhode Island may possibly do so also (it’s a bit uncertain) and offers unregistered Domestic Partnerships with a scant handful of rights.
Also, there are dozens of cities offer some form of recognition and protection for same-sex couples.
November 29th, 2010
The 2010 election has changed the dynamic in a few states and presents both opportunities and challenges for supporters of marriage equality. Here are how I see the current landscape:
Hawaii – Neil Abercrombie, the newly elected governor of Hawaii, is a strong advocate for civil unions. Earlier this year the legislature overwhelmingly approved a civil unions bill and such a bill is likely to be presented again.
Illinois – it is expected that the state legislature will vote this week on a civil unions bill during a lame-duck session. There is adequate support in the Senate, but the House vote is uncertain. Should it pass, Governor Pat Quinn, a strong supporter who was just reelected, will sign the bill. This bill seems to be taking on the impression of a Catholic v. Protestant fight, with NOM and the Catholic Bishop serving as the public face in opposition to civil unions, while a great many Protestants ministers have endorsed the bill.
Minnesota – Mark Dayton holds a lead in the governor’s election over anti-gay Tom Emmer, but the election will not be determined until a recount is completed. Republicans took control of both houses of legislature, so no pro-equality bills are expected; but if Dayton is confirmed there also will be no anti-equality bills either.
The one concern might be that Republicans could try and put a constitutional amendment on the 2012 ballot that bans both marriage and civil unions. While that may seem like a great idea to anti-gay activists, Emmer ran a homophobic campaign designed to appeal to those who oppose marriage equality and it does not appear to have been successful. I think it likely that an anti-marriage amendment would pass, but anti-civil unions may be too much, and it is becoming increasingly more risky for anti-gays to make such assumptions. Additionally, attitudes can change dramatically in the next two years.
Meanwhile, three couples are suing the state claiming that laws restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples violate the state constitution. Today, a judge rejected the request of the Minnesota Family Counsel to intervene:
“The Council’s alleged injuries would occur solely due to its sincerely-held belief that principles rooted in its interpretations of religious texts are best for the well-being of children and families, and that marriage only between one man and one woman accords with these principles,” wrote Minnesota Fourth District Court Judge Mary S. DuFrense (PDF). “The Court certainly understands that the Council feels strongly about the social issue of same-sex marriage. Strong feelings, however, do not establish a legal interest in a lawsuit.”
Iowa – after three Supreme Court Justices were denied confirmation, anti-gay activists were celebrating. But as the Senate majority leader has committed to blocking any changes to the Iowa constitution, it is unlikely that marriage will be reversed.
New Hampshire – NOM is crowing that anti-marriage activists have taken over both houses. However, my analysis suggests that any reversal of marriage equality is unlikely. While Republicans took a veto-proof majority, a significant number have already voted against any repeal of the law.
Maine – Republican Paul LePage was elected governor, effectively eliminating any forward movement on marriage equality. However LePage supports the current domestic partnership laws so things will remain status quo for a while.
New York – this one is a big question mark. Incoming Governor Cuomo has promised to get marriage legalized. And after the last vote, state legislators have discovered that “things as they are” may well be the most dangerous position to hold; gay activists refused to play the “any Democrat is better than a Republican” game and set their sites on defeating anti-marriage votes.
Going by last year’s vote count, the current best case scenario is that we are three votes shy of what we need (there are still some undecided elections). However, this time our side is taking to the airwaves to drum up public support, and polls show that New Yorkers support marriage equality. What was a party-line vote last year may well be viewed this year in terms of tolerance and New York values and there may be an entirely different dynamic.
Rhode Island – Former-Republican Lincoln Chafee, who ran as an Independent, beat both the Democrat and the Republican candidates to take governor of the tiny state. And one of his first actions was to inform NOM that their opinion on marriage was not of any value to him. Rhode Islanders support marriage equality, and with Chafee’s backing there is a good chance that RI will be the next marriage state.
Maryland – another contender for next marriage state, Maryland did not suffer party reversal. A plurality of voter support marriage equality, and gay State Sen. Richard Madaleno is guardedly optimistic that marriage will be voted in, perhaps as early as January.
His optimism stems from a number of developments on Election Day 2010, some of which ran absolutely counter to national trends. In the Maryland Senate, Democrats actually expanded their majority to a 35-12 advantage over Republicans. And some Democrats who lost their seats did so in primary fights with more progressive challengers, many of whom vowed to be even stronger champions for marriage equality.
And, of course, all of the above could be impacted by Perry v. Schwarzenegger should the courts find that marriage laws which restrict gay people from participation are contrary to the Due Process or Equal Protections clauses of the 14th Amendement.
September 13th, 2010
One of the more preposterous stereotypes about gay men is that they are in some way “too close” to their mothers. Joseph Nicolosi, one of the founders of the National Association for the Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) has built his career on the theory that too-close mothers and too-distant fathers make gay men.
It’s such a shame that some of us were close to our mothers. Maybe we could have benefited from having a role model like this guy:
Steve Molin, 58, a self-employed contractor with a history of bizarre behavior, told police that his mother accidentally fell out of his moving vehicle shortly before midnight Tuesday while driving on Carey Road in Berlin, Md. He said he backed up after she fell.
“It was just an accident,” he told a judge Thursday, according to the Maryland Coast Dispatch. “She suffered from Alzheimer’s and was playing with the windows.”
But Detective Cpl. Mike Lupiwok, of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, said investigators concluded that she had been run over two or three times. “The investigation showed it was intentional,” he said.
You can find out more of what all of those heterosexuals who don’t love their mothers are up to here and here.
[Hat tip: Pam Spaulding]
May 20th, 2010
Following up on its commitment to recognize same-sex marriages conducted outside of the state, Maryland will now provide marriage benefits to same-sex married state employees. (WaPo)
State employees in Maryland can now sign up same-sex spouses as dependents, making them eligible to receive the same health care and other benefits afforded to husbands and wives of heterosexual state employees, according to Gov. Martin O’Malley’s (D) office.
The change, made public Wednesday, means that O’Malley’s administration has followed through in codifying a legal opinion issued in February by Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler.
May 11th, 2010
Maryland same-sex couples have been able to marry in neighboring District of Columbia for the past two months and have their marriages recognized by their home state. And this change has resulted in much local media and discussion.
A new Washington Post poll suggests that exposure to same-sex marriages has increased familiarity and abated the fears that Maryland residents may have had.
A clear majority of people responding to the poll — 55 percent — also say that if gays get married in another state, those unions should be considered legal in Maryland; 38 percent say the state should not recognize them. Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler (D) in February told state agencies to begin granting married same-sex couples from elsewhere the same rights as Maryland’s heterosexual couples.
The poll, conducted May 3-6, finds that 46 percent overall favor legal same-sex marriage, 44 percent oppose it, and 10 percent have no opinion. Among registered voters, 48 percent are in favor and 43 percent are opposed.
March 11th, 2010
One week after Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) ordered state universities to drop sexual orientation from their nondiscrimination policies, and nearly a month after Gov. Robert F. McDonnell signed an executive order dropping sexual orientation from the state’s anti-discrimination policies, Gov. McDonnell has now reversed his position, but not his executive order.
Gov. McDonnell’s new directive states:
We will not tolerate discrimination based on sexual orientation or any other basis that’s outlawed under state or federal law or the Constitution, and if it is reported, then I will take action, from reprimand to termination, to make sure that does not occur. I believe this properly takes care of it and assures the good people of Virginia that we will absolutely not have discrimination in this state.”
Gov. McDonnell’s executive order last month dropping sexual orientation from the state’s nondiscrimination policies has the effect of law among state employees, including state universities. But Gov. McDonnell’s new directive does not. It merely states the formal position of the governor himself. This gives the Attorney General all the legal maneuvering room he needs to issue this statement “applauding” the governor’s directive:
“I will remain in contact with the Governor and continue to work with him on issues important to Virginians,” Cuccinelli’s statement continued. “I expect Virginia’s state employees to follow all state and federal anti-discrimination laws and will enforce Virginia’s laws to the fullest extent.”
In other words, Cuccinelli recognizes that the governor’s latest statement does not have the force of law, but merely “sets the tone.” As Delegate Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) said, McDonnell’s directive carries no force and is no more than a “press release with fluff around it.”
There is some speculation that this fig leaf was put in place to try to impress the defense giant Northrop Grumman, which is considering moving its headquarters from Los Angeles to the Washington, D.C. area. Maryland, Virginia and the District are actively competing to win the company’s favor. Northrop Grumman enjoys a 100% rating in the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index. Among the many considerations that Northrop is facing is that Maryland’s policies are more in line with the company’s own policies. Says Maryland State Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr. (D-Montgomery):
Here in Maryland, we value our gay and lesbian citizens as part of a diverse population that makes the state strong. Virginia is doing the opposite and letting its LGBT citizens — and those considering whether to move and work there — know that they and their families are unwelcome second-class citizens. And they are counting on corporations like yours not to care.
Indeed, while there are efforts in Virginia’s legislature to pass a nonbinding resolution expressing the opinion that Virginia “maintains an ecumenical atmosphere in its sexual orientation hiring policies in the private and public workforce,” that resolution would not have an effect on Virginia’s nondiscrimination law. And even that nonbinding statement, which passed in Virginia’s Senate as part of a package of incentives intended to lure Northrop and other employers, is being stymied in Virginia’s lower House.
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