Gay marriage has the votes to clear Md. Senate

[davidinalameda]

Sen. James Rosapepe just issued an email to constituents saying that he will support the same-sex marriage bill. That means 24 senators have publicly committed to vote for the bill -- enough for passage.

Here's the contents of the email that Rosapepe sent out, note that he supports the bill "as amended" -- so other changes to the bill could theoretically change his support:

Thanks for contacting me to let me know of your support for SB 116, the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act. I am writing to let you know that it was passed today by the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and will be voted on the Senate floor next week.

I intend to vote for the bill as it was reported out of Committee with a strengthened conscience clause to respect the views of religious denominations which do not recognize same sex marriage. I don’t know what other amendments may be proposed on the Senate floor but will keep your concerns in mind as we consider them.

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/2011/02/rosapepe_is_24th_vote_for_same.html

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

[elleng]

1. ...

:thumbsup:

[bluestateguy]

2. And the other chamber? The House?

Could Maryland be state #6?

[davidinalameda]

4. Maryland will be #6

[RKP5637]

3. Great News!!! n/t

[struggle4progress]

5. I really don't know why anybody buys this "conscience clause" stuff:

The state can't demand that a religious organization perform a ceremony. But the wingnuts seem regularly to insist in public debates that legalizing gay marriage would force churches to perform gay weddings. I'd like to know how many people really believe that

[LiberalFighter]

6. Probably too many. And some of them that perform the marriages probably believe it.

I think that states should require all marriages be performed by a civil ceremony. And if parties want a religious ceremony it would have to be after they were legally married under a civil ceremony.

Would be interesting to see the outcome if enacted.

[RetiredTrotskyite]

8. I Doubt That Even Most Homohaters....

believe such twaddle. It's just another delaying tactic.

[RetiredTrotskyite]

9. The Crazies Need to STFU

This nonsense with Churches being forced to perform same-sex marriage is nothing more than a delaying tactic. We know it. They know it. Time to start making it very clear we know what they are up to.

[IrishEyes]

7. I really hope they pass it in Maryland.

I'm planning on going there for vacation this year. I like to go to places that don't discriminate.