Marriage equality coalition hails historic bill introduction

ANNAPOLIS – Marylanders for Marriage Equality - the coalition of labor, faith, civil liberties, and LGBT rights organizations working to bring civil marriage equality to Maryland - hailed today’s introduction of marriage legislation by Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. The Governor’s bill protects religious freedom while promoting marriage equality for all committed couples and their families. Below is reaction from coalition members and supporters.

“The Governor’s bill not only protects but strengthens religious freedom,” said Rev. Dr. John R. Deckenback, Conference Minister, United Church of Christ Central Atlantic Conference.  "The Governor believes –as do I – that protecting religious freedom is critically important.  Such freedom is the bedrock of this country’s tradition and is a longstanding American value.”

“Thousands of families across our state are grateful for the Governor's actions today. He has given the fight for marriage equality a huge jolt of momentum,” said Carrie Evans, executive director of Equality Maryland.

“Governor O’Malley’s courageous and principled leadership on the issue of marriage equality will benefit all Marylanders,” said Joe Solmonese of the Human Rights Campaign. “Being able to marry the person you love is a value that all Marylanders hold dear.”

“As both a union president and father of a gay son, I can tell you this is a good day,” said Fred D. Mason Jr., president of the 300,000-strong Maryland State and District of Columbia AFL-CIO.  “When push comes to shove, union members, regardless of their personal views, stand on the side of social justice. Organized labor will not stand on the sidelines.”

“Labor is on the side of all working families – not just certain families,” said Ezekiel Jackson, political organizer for SEIU 1199 of Maryland and president of Marylanders for Marriage Equality. “There are thousands of same-sex families who wish to make a better life for their kids. Their dream just got closer to reality today because of Governor O’Malley.”

“The ACLU is proud that the Governor's proposed legislation allows for both the freedom to marry of same-sex couples and the freedom of religion for clergy in Maryland,” said Melissa Coretz Goemann, legislative director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland. “Under the First Amendment, clergy are free to refuse to marry any couple they wish for any reason. And under the Governor's bill, churches will continue to have the freedom to choose who they marry and who they don’t.”

"Marriage builds families,” said Kate Planco Waybrightof Progressive Maryland. “Marylanders are fortunate to have a Governor who understands the value of all families."

Marylanders for Marriage Equality (www.MarylandersForMarriageEquality.org) is the broad and diverse coalition working to bring civil marriage equality to Maryland.

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In this video, created by The Transgender Response Team, Hollaback Bmore!, and Equality Maryland, transgender Marylanders describe in their own words the discrimination they face on a daily basis.  Here are just a few of the startling statistics quoted in the video:

• "53% of transgender Marylanders report harrassment, mistreatment, or violence in public accommodations like buses, restaurants, and stores."
   
  
• "20% of transgender Marylanders have been or are homeless and shelters won't serve us."
   
  
• "1 in 5 transgender Marylanders have been fired from their job just because of their gender identity."

Watch the video:

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