marriage

Dear Delegate Michael G. Summers:

UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO fully supports legislation to allow gay and lesbian couples the right to marry in Maryland.

Families, no matter their demographics, deserve the right to protect their family interests.

Without the freedom to marry, gay and lesbian couples do not receive the same recognition or protections for their families as other couples.

“Marriage” gives protections and recognition to everyone – in hospital emergency rooms, funeral homes, and when discussing benefits with employers; while “civil unions” and “domestic partnerships” are not always recognized.

This is a civil rights issue, not a religious issue

At one time, the State of Maryland refused to allow interracial marriage or to recognize interracial marriages from other states as “legal.” African Americans were treated as second-class citizens. Those restrictions are long gone. Yet we are still forcing the same second class status on gay and lesbian Marylanders by refusing their right to marry.

It’s time to let our prejudices go. I urge you to support full equality for Maryland’s lesbian and gay couples.

Sincerely,

Gino Renne
President
UFCW Local 1994 MCGEO

Last Friday, the Empire State passed marriage equality and Governor Cuomo has already courageously signed it into law. 26 days from today loving and committed couples in New York will be able to get married.

Here in Maryland, we are the next stop on the road to marriage equality and we need your help to get there. There are only 358 miles that separate Albany, NY from Annapolis, MD, but it currently seems that we are worlds apart.

With the tremendous momentum reverberating out of New York right now, we have the capacity to redouble our efforts in Annapolis - but we need your help!

CLICK HERE to help pass marriage equality in Maryland!

Equality Maryland is launching our Road to Marriage Equality, a fundraising drive where we are asking our supporters to adopt one or more miles between Albany, NY and Annapolis, MD, for $10 per month until we have marriage equality.

Will you adopt a mile or two today?

These monthly funds are crucial in our efforts to change the hearts and minds of legislators across the state, grow our organization, and keep the pressure on in Annapolis.

Will you join us by adopting a mile or more for $10 per month until we make marriage equality a reality here in Maryland?

Equality Maryland can't travel this road alone. Join us today and make a difference for all loving and committed gay and lesbian couples in Maryland.

This post draws on commentary from around the web as we search for strong political advocates standing up for our freedom to marry.  Our communications staff member, Linsey, has come across many articles on President Obama's view on marriage equality - he currently claims that his view is "evolving".

Last week, she witnessed White House Communications Director, Dan Pfeiffer, stumble over the President's supposed evolution. She couldn't help herself - she felt compelled to write the post below. 

Earlier this morning while running at the gym, CNN was discussing an issue close to my heart - gay marriage. CNN was debating the morning political roundup, a segment that highlights a 30 second look at various issues being discussed on all the networks' morning programs.

This article was written by Joe Seigel for the Boston Edge.

The past few months have been tumultuous for supporters of marriage rights for same-sex couples. Legislators in Minnesota have decided to let the voters in that state decide whether or not to ban gays and lesbians from getting married. A vote on a gay-marriage bill fell short in Maryland. Activists in Rhode Island were hopeful this would be the year a marriage bill would pass, but will now have to settle for civil unions instead. The heads of the leading groups in these states, Equality Maryland and Marriage Equality Rhode Island, departed among much turmoil.

After lengthy debate and support from thousands of Marylanders from all over the state, the House of Delegates recommitted the Civil Marriage Protection Act to committee. 

While I am truly disappointed that there was no vote today, today's move was a strategic step that will allow us to fight and win in the future.

Never before have we come so far. A majority of the State Senate and a large number of legislators in the House of Delegates recognized that the exclusion of loving and committed gay and lesbian couples from marriage must end.