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Monday, July 6, 2009
Thank Governor O'Malley for Speaking Out for Marriage Recognition
Dear Friends,
Today, on a WTOP radio talk show, Gov. Martin O'Malley had this to say when queried by an interviewer as to whether or not he favored Maryland recognizing marriages between same-gender couples from other states:
"I think that it's very difficult to deny equal rights to people when it comes to rights that are dispersed by government rather than a faith or a church and so I think if a person has these rights under another state than I think we're sore pressed to deny those rights, so yes, I think we probably should respect those rights."
Equality Maryland views Gov. O'Malley's comments as a very positive development!
Click here to send a letter of thanks and to urge the Governor to engage fully in the fight for marriage equality in Maryland.
The question arises as the LGBT community awaits an opinion by Attorney General Doug Gansler as to whether or not Maryland can honor such out-of-state marriages. Several weeks ago, openly gay State Senator Rich Madaleno (D-Montgomery County), lead sponsor of the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act in the Maryland Senate, used his legislative prerogative to request a formal opinion from the Attorney General on the matter of out-of-state recognition. As a practical legal matter, it is highly uncommon for Maryland to not recognize marriages performed from other states here at home. The Attorney General's opinion could come in a matter of weeks.
While the Governor has not pushed for the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, which would make marriage equality a reality in Maryland, he has taken several positive steps this year for LGBT people in our families. First, he placed health and retirement benefits for the same-sex partners of state employees into his budget. Second, he signed into law a bill that eliminates the inheritance tax on jointly owned primary residences for domestic partners. During the legislative session, the Governor also offered written testimony in support of transgender anti-discrimination legislation. Now, the Governor has shown receptivity to marriage recognition. These significant steps of support should not go unrecognized!
Please let Gov. O'Malley know that you appreciate his support for LGBT equality, and that we strongly welcome his leadership in making sure couples who are married – no matter where those marriages took place – can be afforded the same protections and responsibilities here at home.