Same-sex marriage passes in state House

As state House Speaker Michael Busch (D-Anne Arundel) read the final vote tally for same-sex marriage legislation Friday evening, the floors of the state General Assembly erupted in cheers and applause as he announced the measure narrowly passed in a 72-67 vote.

Friday's nearly two-hour long debate marked a crucial win for same-sex couples, as the House voted down the measure last legislative session shortly after the senate passed it 25-21. In the coming weeks, the bill will move to the senate, where it is expected to pass, poising Maryland to join six other states in legalizing gay marriage.

Gov. Martin O'Malley pledged his support for the legislation in July and promised to sign it into law if passed. Many state lawmakers, however, said they will petition the measure and hope to put it to a referendum.

Del. Patrick McDonough (R-Baltimore and Hartford) said he expects same-sex marriage legislation to be voted down as it has in 31 other states.

Some lawmakers, including Del. Wade Kach (R-Baltimore), were swayed in the weeks leading up to the vote. Although Kach voiced opposition to the measure at the start of the legislative session, he said he was persuaded to vote in favor after a committee hearing in which same-sex couples shared their stories.

"The witnesses did an excellent job with their testimony, but the other thing I saw there was such love," he said. "I saw same-sex couples that obviously were so devoted to one another."

The heated debate began when House Minority Leader Anthony O'Donnell (R-Calvert and St. Mary's), who ultimately opposed the measure, addressed what he called a "house closely divided" and said he sympathized with both supporters and opponents of the bill.

"This is a bill, I believe, that's been a long time coming and that friends on both sides can reasonably say they come to it with just heart and with reasonable division," he said.

Del. Maggie McIntosh (D-Baltimore City) followed with emotional testimony of her own experiences as an LGBTQA lawmaker. In her lifetime, she said, the LGBTQA community has made great strides, but added "it's still not easy to come out."

"I thought about how many young people were around Maryland who were living in fear, and I couldn't stand it," she said, adding that the state "should extend to families and same-sex loving couples the right to marry in a civil ceremony."

Del. Anne Kaiser (D-Montgomery), also an LGBTQA lawmaker, shared similar sentiments.

"How many of you have had to put your relationships up before a tribunal of your peers?" she said. "We are fighting for our relationships."

But the "house closely divided" saw its share of opponents from those who argued on behalf of traditional marriage, and said the measure conflicted with their religious beliefs.

"What gives you the right to touch something so sacred?" Del. Michael McDermott (R-Wicomico and Worcester) asked.

"God himself defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman," Del. Steven Schuh (R-Anne Arundel) added.

Some also said they feared the social implications such a bill would have on families.

"I fully believe that traditional marriage is the best way to raise children because people learn role models from both sides," Del. Gail Bates (R-Howard) said.

Although Del. Justin Ready (R-Carroll) said "no child should be made fun of" for being gay, he said recognizing same-sex marriage would not end intolerance. Instead, he said the state should allow civil union protections, which would not alter the traditional structure of marriage.

Many lawmakers said a vote cast against the measure was not one of discrimination, but an attempt to preserve the traditional definition of marriage.

"This is not about hate, this is not about bigotry and hopefully my opponents on this issue realize that I love everybody," Del. Jay Walker (D-Prince George's) said.

Now that supporters have cleared what may be their biggest hurdle, Sen. Allan Kittleman (R-Carroll and Howard), who was the only Republican to support the measure in last year's senate vote, said he expects to see the bill land on O'Malley's desk soon.

"I'm very pleased by the House action," he said. "I think it was an historic vote."

bach@umdbk.com