Md. attorney general backs gay marriage bill

[davidinalameda]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-gansler0214,0,5278707.story

Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler has become the most prominent official in Maryland to endorse gay marriage, telling state legislators Thursday that he believes the current ban on same-sex unions amounts to discrimination.

"It would be hard for me to have this job knowing there is something so wrong in our society," Gansler told the Senate panel considering a bill to legalize gay marriage. "I just think it's wrong to discriminate against any people because they think differently or because of their sexual orientation."

But Gansler also said that law makers in Annapolis might not have the "political courage" to legalize gay marriage this year and that the General Assembly will probably "settle" for civil unions, which would confer many of the rights afforded to married heterosexual couples.

Gansler joined a steady march of lawmakers, clergy, concerned citizens, activists, children of gay parents and others who testified on both sides of the issue over several hours before the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. The panel is also considering a bill to put a constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex marriage on the November ballot, and a bill that would create domestic partnerships in place of civil marriage, a possible vehicle for civil unions.

[xchrom]

1. ...

:applause:

[freestyle]

2. It was even better in person.

I was also there to testify at that hearing, and it was heartening to hear the state's top lawyer advocate for a change in the law. Hopefully we got through to the swing voters on that committee.

[GodlessBiker]

3. Viva la Gansler!