FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2006

Contact:
Dan Furmansky, Executive Director,
Equality Maryland
Office (301)587-7500
Cell (301)461-4900
Email: dan@equalitymaryland.org

Responses by Elected Officials and Community Leaders to Baltimore Circuit Court Ruling:

“While every faith community must make its own decisions regarding morality and marriage, there should be respect by the State for the legal arguments put forth by these committed couples.  I hope this ruling is one step closer to remedying the instability faced by thousands of same-sex couples in Maryland because of their inability to marry.”

Delegate Tawanna Gaines (D-Prince George's County)

“It’s high time that Maryland offer the ability to marry to its citizens whose relationships are based on the same covenants of traditional marriage: trust, loyalty and love.”

Delegate Elizabeth Bobo (D-Howard County)

“The JCRC of Greater Washington supports the Circuit Court’s ruling finding Maryland’s law defining marriage as between a man and a woman a violation of the Maryland constitution. This ruling is a victory for all who oppose discrimination in American life.   Like other faith communities, the Jewish community does not look to the government to determine what relationships merit sanctification under Jewish tradition.  But the function of civil law in this arena is to define the legal rights and obligations of persons in committed relationships.  In this regard, the government should not discriminate by reason of gender or sexual orientation.  Today's court decision makes clear that no such discrimination is permitted by the Maryland Constitution.”

Ron Halber, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, the government relations and public affairs branch of the Jewish community of Greater Washington, representing more than 210 Jewish agencies, organizations, and synagogues.

“To prevent gay and lesbian couples who want to be in a committed legal relationship from doing so is incompatible with our nation’s basic premise that people should have the right to freedom and the pursuit of happiness.  We should encourage committed relationships, not discourage them.  We should let people live in peace and freedom, not force them into the dark corners of a closet.  The fabric of our society does not get weaker if we pursue tolerance and understanding, it gets stronger.”

Delegate Doyle Niemann (D-Prince George’s County)

“This decision has the ability to positively impact thousands of Maryland families.  Much of the negative rhetoric on the issue of marriage for same-sex couples is focused on the so-called breakdown of the family.  Social workers across Maryland work with families of all types every single day and understand that children who are raised by same-sex couples fare just as well as children who are raised by opposite-sex couples.  The reason children of same-sex couples need protecting is not because of who their parents are, but because their parents lack the protections of marriage that enable them to best care for each other and safeguard their children in times of sickness, financial trouble, or death.”

Daphne McClellan, Executive Director, Maryland Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers

"As someone who believes strongly in the separation of church and state, I understand that a marriage license from the state confers no religious blessing, nor is there any religious requirement to comply with in order to receive a marriage license.  If Maryland’s Constitution truly  guarantees equal protection to all citizens of this state, then surely same-sex couples should have the legal safeguards that marriage offers.  Lets respect the law and leave the religious debate to individual denominations."

Delegate James Hubbard (D-Prince George’s County)

"I view this well-considered legal opinion as a true victory for human rights.  A marriage license issued by the Clerk of the Court's office unlocks the door to more than 1,000 securities, benefits, rights and obligations that enables two people to properly care for each other and their family.  This is truly a matter of civil law; even if marriage becomes a legal option for same-sex couples in Maryland, churches and synagogues will always decide for themselves whether to perform or recognize any marriage, just as they already do for every couple."

Delegate Anne Kaiser (D-Montgomery County)

“Same sex couples have been married in Massachusetts for over a year now.  The institution of marriage has not been harmed.  On the contrary, it has been broadened and strengthened.”

Delegate Samuel I. Rosenberg (D-Baltimore City) 

"Same-gender loving people live the lives of married couple and are often blessed in their places of worship through commitment ceremonies and bonds of faith. But these families do not have access to the legal protections that accompany a marriage license."

Delegate Salima Marriott (D-Baltimore City)

"I am not smart enough to know why God's creation is so diverse, so I feel morally compelled to respect the rights and to honor the civic contributions of all branches of humanity, whatever their cultural labels or demographic markers."

Senator Delores Kelley (D-Baltimore County)

"The ability to marry the person of one’s choice is a matter of basic human rights.  Although same-sex couples and their children are families in every way imaginable, they are not protected as a family under the law.  The Baltimore Circuit Court has clearly stated the obvious – that everyone deserves equal protection under the Maryland Constitution."

Delegate Bill Bronrott (D-Montgomery County)

“With today’s ruling, this courageous judge has greatly improved the lives of thousands of same-gender couples in Maryland.  Civil marriage is essential to the stability and long-term health of many relationships.  This decision simply allows same-gender couples the same duties, responsibilities, and obligations as any other married couple.  It also reflects the reality that more than 10,000 same-gender households exist in Maryland and that these couples deserve equal treatment under the law.  I hope that this well-reasoned decision is upheld during the appeals process.”

Delegate Richard Madaleno (D-Montgomery County)

"As someone who has been married to the same man for 50 years, I can honestly say that my marriage isn't the least bit threatened by the prospect of Maryland recognizing same-gender marriages. These couples already create strong families and live the lives of married couples, but these families do not have access to the legal securities such as inheritance, medical decision-making rights, access to death and disability benefits, taxation of jointly owned property, consideration for a joint rental lease, immigration, health care insurance, ability to take family and medical leave and access to family courts. This ruling will bring us one step closer to providing the civil rights these families need."

Delegate Karen Montgomery (D-Montgomery County)

“I applaud the court for upholding the right for all persons who choose to live together in marriage to do so. It is a great day for the state and all its citizens when civil liberties are upheld. I also applaud the coourage of those couples who stepped forward and demanded equality. On such courage this nation is built."

Reverend John R. Sharp, Pastor, Govans Presbyterian Church, Baltimore

"Equal rights are a fundemental principle for all persons.  It is now time for Maryland to demonstrate its commitment to equality by supporting the right to marry regardless of ones's sexual orientation."

Delegate Sheila E. Hixon (D- Montgomergy County)

“Praises for Brooke Murdoch for interpreting the law through the eyes of justice and equity.  The Constitution is a living document, designed for the evolution of consciousness.  This ruling on behalf of equal protection under the law for same sex couples strengthens our society as we become ever more inclusive of all its citizens.”

Lisa Ward, Reverend, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Harford County

“Today’s initial Freedom to Marry victory is a personal one for my family.  Forty-six years ago, my marriage to my husband was illegal in the state of Maryland just because we are an inter-racial couple. The state of Maryland has made great shifts in its legal definition of marriage with respect to religion, gender, and race.  I hope the high court in Maryland will uphold this lower court decision so my daughter can legally marry the woman she shares her life with and have the same protections my husband and I enjoy.”

Colette Roberts, President, Columbia/Howard County PFLAG

“My partner of 27 years and I are hopeful that today’s preliminary ruling will mean that one day the protections and privileges of personal liberty given to all other Maryland citizens by the State Constitution will belong to us as well.  There can only be negative repercussions when couples are treated like strangers in the eyes of the law.  Families with two parents of the same gender need the same protections as any other family, and if the ability to legally marry is expanded in Maryland to include gays and lesbians, it will create stability and security for thousands of families across the state.”

Bruce Williams, Takoma Park City Council Member

"This decision recognizes the basic human right the state is obliged to cede to those same sex couples who are willing to take on the rights, as well as the obligations of the marriage relationship. It further recognizes that same sex couples are equal in the eyes of the law and that the state may not treat them as lesser entities, but rather must treat them with dignity and respect. The decision does not infringe on any religious group’s practice or belief to forbid its officials from performing such marriages. It is the right thing to do."

Alan P. Zukerberg, Founder, New Northwest Baltimore Republican Club

"Several years ago when my teenage son first shared with me that he was gay, I felt some of my dreams for him sadly slip away.  He would be denied an opportunity to marry and have the family life that I've been privileged to enjoy.  Now, with this just ruling, my hopes and dreams for him and his future are back!"

Dan McCarthy, PFLAG Parent, Columbia

"The issue comes down to equal rights vs. discrimination.  I am pleased the court sided with equal rights as that is in the tradition of what the United States has strived for since its founding.  As a nation we continue to move toward 'A more perfect Union."
 
Kevin Zeese – Independent Candidate for U.S. Senate

“The government has no business telling adults who they can and cannot marry.  With all the unhappiness and aggression in the world, if two people love each other, we should rejoice.  If we can’t do that, we must simply mind our own business.  I have been a psychiatrist for over 25 years.  After studying couples for that long, I know that what makes a healthy relationship is good communication and mutual respect.  It’s what’s inside that counts – not how things look on the outside.”

Lise Van Susteren – Democratic Candidate for U.S. Senate

“No one in America should suffer discrimination in any realm of life because of who they are. This principle of non-discrimination applies to sexual orientation as well as race, religion, nationality, disability, and gender. It means that couples should not be denied the securities and protections of marriage because of sexual orientation."

Allan Lichtman, Democratic Candidate for U.S. Senate

"It's a great day for liberty and equality in Maryland.  The court has found that there is no rational purpose supporting marriage discrimination in our state.  This carefully reasoned constitutional conclusion echoes the common sense of straight Marylanders of good will, for we understand that our own marriages are in no way threatened by our gay and lesbian friends and neighbors enjoying an equal right to marry.  Indeed, as a community we have every reason to celebrate the fact that the immense benefits of marriage are now open to all without prejudice or discrimination standing in the way."   

Jamin Raskin, Professor of Constitutional Law at American University's Washington College of Law and former State Assistant Attorney General

"I am extremely gratified that the Court was able to ignore the proselytizing of the far Right and instead followed the law by applying the constitutional protections found in our equal protection clause.  I do not see how our Judges on Maryland's intermediate and highest Courts of Appeal could do anything other than affirm this ruling.  It is quite reaffirming to see that the Rule of Law is alive and well in Maryland."
 
Senator Sharon Grosfeld (D-Montgomery County)

“Women will not be equal until they can pursue their dreams free from discrimination.  This heroic court decision embraces the core principles of marriage -- dignity and commitment.  Judge Brooke Murdoch has recognized that the freedom to marry should belong to same-sex couples.”

Duchy Trachtenberg, President, Maryland Chapter of National Organization for Women