The full House of Delegates just wrapped up their debate on the marriage bill. And while many Dems spoke on the issue (all Republicans vowed to vote no), the galleries were full of supporters and opponents, and reports were all a twitter on the vote coming up, the bill was recommitted.
Not sure what is next, partly since it just happened.
In the meantime:
Email your Delegates
Write letter to Editor for local Maryland Papers
Volunteer with Equality Maryland to phone bank
The fight continues.
Ok, some new data coming in. From the Baltimore Sun:
As recently as this morning, gay marriage supporters were scurrying to reach the 71 votes needed for passage. Recommitting the bill to House Judiciary gives them more time, but it also further deflates momentum.
From Morgan Meneses-Sheets, Executive Director of Equality Maryland (original formatting):
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.
...
There is still work to do this year. The Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act (HB 235) provides critical protections in employment and housing on the basis of gender identity and expression. All hardworking people in our state, including transgender people, should have a chance to earn a living and provide for themselves and their families.
We must pass HB235 to ensure that no one has to live in fear that they will be fired for reasons unrelated to their ability to do the job.
All residents of our state should be treated fairly and equally under the law. Equality Maryland is committed to advancing House Bill 235 this year and to continuing to work to end the exclusion of loving and committed gay and lesbian couples from marriage.
From Julie Bykowicz, a Baltimore Sun reporter:
House leader about to share his thoughts. Consensus is that's it for gay marriage this year.
So... looks like it is on hold for a bit.
More updates.
From The Baltimore Sun editorial board - Maryland gay marriage: Justice delayed Our view: House's failure to pass same-sex marriage is a disappointment, not a defeat
The move does not mean that the issue is dead for the year, but it is a major setback.
...
One factor proponents didn't consider became crucial. Unlike in the Senate, where all but one of the members has held elective office before, in some cases for decades, the House has many newcomers who wrestled for the first time with how to weigh personal convictions against a concerted campaign by a portion of their constituents. Del. Tiffany Alston of Prince George's County, for example, campaigned last year on her support of same-sex marriage but opposed the legislation after receiving an outpouring of phone calls and e-mails from opponents in her district. It is wholly justifiable for a legislator to listen to his or her conscience in the face of such pressure, but it is difficult to ask of someone who has never faced such a situation before.
The issue is not dead; if vote tallies change, the bill could be brought back to the floor, or it could be amended to garner more votes, even though that would mean the legislation would have to go through the Senate again. And perhaps proponents could enlist some high-profile help. In the wake of the House's action, Gov. Martin O'Malley issued a statement saying he had hoped to sign a same-sex marriage bill and that he remains "committed to working with all Marylanders to ensure that rights are protected for … everyone." If he means that, he should get off the sidelines and publicly advocate for the issue.
But advocates should also bear in mind that although this year appeared from the beginning like a magical opportunity, it is not the only one. Nothing will change between now and 2012 other than the steady growth in the public's acceptance of true equal rights for all. Justice has been delayed, but it has not been defeated.
The bolded portions are of importance. Gov. O'Malley did the usual "I like LGBT, but my POV is still evolving", previously saying he supports civil unions when he was mayor of Baltimore. Now, his facebook page reconfirmed his commitment to marriage equality. And since O'Malley has national ambitions, I'd really be surprised seeing him walk back from this, especially since his most rabid supporters in MD are very pro-LGBT.
Also from The Baltimore Sun:
"The vote would have been very close on the floor, make no mistake about it," said [Speaker] Busch, who supports same-sex marriage.
About 10 delegates did not feel comfortable casting a vote today, Busch said, and wanted more time to learn about what the bill would do.
So that means that we all have to:
Email your Delegates
Write letter to Editor for local Maryland Papers
Volunteer with Equality Maryland to phone bank
Again, and again, and again, until equality wins.
