Et Tu, Maryland?

by Maia Spotts · 2010-01-19 08:48:00 UTC
Topics:

UPDATE: Maryland's House of Delegates Judiciary Committee struck down the bill that would prohibit Maryland from recognizing valid out-of-state same-sex marriages. This defeat prevents the bill from going to Maryland's House floor for debate. Sorry, Emmett, looks like the back door stays open. February 03, 2010.

With Washington, D.C. poised to begin performing same-sex marriages, its delightful neighbor to the north is scrambling to protect itself from the invasion of the gay couples. That's right folks, looks like Maryland is stepping up to the plate for team DOMA.

Maryland law has defined marriage as being between a man and a woman since 1973, which bars same-sex couples from marrying within the state. And while out of state hetero marriages are to be recognized, the law is silent on how to treat valid out-of-state same-sex marriages. Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler has been hemming and hawing on the issue for months now. If you haven't already signed this petition, let the AG know it's time to take a stand, before it's too late.

Maryland Delegate Emmett Burns (that's his cheerful mug in the picture), none other than the vice-chair of the civil rights committee, introduced legislation on Thursday that would have the state adopt the Defense of Marriage Act, effectively denying recognition of same-sex marriages performed elsewhere.

"The issue is knocking on our doors," Burns said. "People will be flying over here, wanting to force us to accept their marriage licenses."

Burns continues, "Our back door is open, and it needs to be closed."

[Insert trademark John Stewart blank stare of complete and utter disbelief mixed with comedic relish.]

With or without the homoerotic metaphors, Burns' legislation is just another gross display of homophobia in government. AG Gansler could put an end to the discrimination, and put Maryland on the road to marriage equality, he just needs to do it now.

Photo: Maryland House of Delegates

Maia Spotts is one part of a two mom, two kid household and hopes to change the way in which this country defines the strong American family.
PREVIOUS STORY:
How South Africa Might Endorse Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill
NEXT STORY:
Bullied high schooler convinces MPAA to change ‘Bully’ rating to “PG-13”

COMMENTS (6)

    Comment Policy

    · All fields are required to comment.

    [X]

    Comments on Change.org are meant for further exploration and evaluation of the campaign on Change.org. To that end, we welcome constructive comments. However, we reserve the right to delete comments which, as determined solely in our discretion: (1) are offensive, abusive, or off-topic; (2) include content solely intended to personally attack the campaign creator, (3) are designed to subvert or hijack comment threads rather than contribute to them; and/or (4) violate our terms of service and/or privacy policy. Repeat offenders may be permanently removed from the site at our discretion. Please also be advised that: (A) we do not actively curate and/or monitor in any manner whatsoever the comments made on the Change.org platform, and (B) the creator of each campaign on Change.org may remove any comment at her/his/its discretion.