ANNAPOLIS — A measure that would have legalized gay marriage in Maryland could not overcome stiff opposition from lawmakers in Prince George’s County and conservative lawmakers from Baltimore County who cited religious reasons for opposing the bill. The stunning move, which sent the bill back to a House of Delegates committee without a vote, halted growing momentum that would have made Maryland the sixth state to allow same-sex matrimony. Instead, the District remains the lone jurisdiction locally that recognizes gay marriage. “I’m disappointed in the outcome,” said Del. Doyle Niemann, D-Prince George’s. “In my area, the power of the black churches was a big part of the problem. Those churches just haven’t come around on this.”
The debate pitted civil rights-era activists against a handful of openly gay lawmakers, an odd confrontation for delegates traditionally aligned on liberal causes.
“If you want to compare same-sex marriage to civil rights as I know it, show me the Ku Klux Klan that invaded your home,” said Del. Emmett Burns Jr. D-Baltimore County.
However, openly gay Del. Heather Mizeur, D-Silver Spring, said opponents were reducing gay couples to second-rate citizens.
“It’s love that makes a family but marriage that protects it,” she said during the debate. “Examine your conscience. Do the right thing. Cast your vote in favor of love.”
The House sent the landmark legislation back to committee after more than two hours of impassioned debate. Though the expected tally was not made clear, some supporters said they were a single vote short of passage.
Without taking a final vote, delegates were not forced to put their position on record. Lawmakers have been inundated with pleas from both sides of the issue, insistent that a vote against them would equate to political suicide.
House Speaker Michael Busch said about 10 delegates needed more time to think about their decision before casting a vote. Many of those against the bill said they would support civil unions but that redefining marriage was too drastic of a change.
Supporters now will be forced to try again next year after Busch said the chamber wouldn’t take up the issue again this session.
The Senate, traditionally the more conservative of the two chambers, had already passed the bill and Gov. Martin O’Malley lobbied for its passage.
“It is my firm belief that equality under the law means equality for everyone, and our laws should reflect that fundamental principle,” O’Malley said after the legislation died. “Together, we’ve worked hard to protect and expand these rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered citizens in our state. It was my hope to sign a marriage equality act consistent with these progressive reforms, while protecting religious freedom in our state.”
