NEWS RELEASE
Monday, May 17, 2004

EQUALITY MARYLAND
Contact: Dan Furmansky, Executive Director
Phone:    Office 410-685-6567
Cell    301-461-4900
Email:  dan@equalitymaryland.org

EQUALITY MARYLAND CELEBRATES HISTORIC DAY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Marriage Equality in Massachusetts a Milestone for Ending Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation

BALTIMORE -- Equality Maryland, Maryland's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, with thousands of diverse members from Cumberland to Salisbury, rejoiced today at the issuance of marriage licenses to committed same-sex couples in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Massachusetts is the first state in the nation to process clearly legal marriage licenses to same-sex couples, thereby granting them the same protections, benefits, rights, and responsibilities as opposite-sex couples.

"In time, May 17, 2004 will be almost universally regarded, in the annals of American history, as a hallmark of social justice where discrimination based on sexual orientation was deemed un-American and where love, commitment, family and equality prevailed," said Executive Director Dan Furmansky. "Unfortunately, thousands of Maryland couples from all walks of life are still considered virtual strangers in the eyes of the law, even if they have been together for decades. The denial of marriage equality in Maryland also leaves thousands of children of same-sex couples without the same protections that other children receive."

A marriage license confers more than a thousand federal, and hundreds of state-level, rights and responsibilities, including the right to visit a spouse in the hospital; make medical decisions for a spouse if he or she is ill; take family and medical leave to care for a sick spouse; file joint tax returns; and inherit property, disability and social security benefits in the event of a spouse's death. Despite strong opposition by certain religious denominations against the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling that amended Massachusetts marriage laws, no religious institution is forced to perform or recognize marriages between same-sex couples.

"This is a bittersweet day," said Del. Richard S. Madaleno (D-Kensington). "Progress is occurring elsewhere, but my partner and I cannot avail ourselves of the same rights and protections in our cherished state of Maryland that others take for granted. It's unfortunate that we continue to be discriminated against by the same government that I serve."

"If Maryland is to stay true to its progressive reputation, our state will have to evolve and end gender-based discrimination in marriage," Furmansky said. "Equality Maryland remains committed to providing the same opportunity for gay and lesbian couples to marry in Maryland that exists today in Massachusetts."

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Equality Maryland is Maryland's largest civil rights organization, focused on making life better for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens of Maryland.   Equality Maryland works to secure and protect the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Marylanders by promoting legislative initiatives on the state, county and municipal levels and educating the public about the issues faced by our diverse community.

Equality Maryland can be found online at www.equalitymaryland.org