Opponents demonstrated against gay marriage Wednesday as the House of Delegates began to debate a bill that would allow it.
A number of amendments were proposed that could have killed the bill but were defeated. One would have changed its name from the Civil Marriage Protection Act to the Same-Sex Marriage Act.
"What it really is is a gay marriage bill," said Delegate Rick Impallaria, R-Baltimore County.
"It's not just about what happens with same-sex couples," said Delegate Kathleen Dumais, D-Montgomery County, who served as the floor leader for the bill. "It is about the rights that are provided by the state through marriage."
Another amendment would have made passage of the Civil Marriage Protection Act contingent on a voter referendum.
Delegate Jay Walker, D-Prince George's County, was applauded when he said, "We know about the places across the country people have been excluded: Washington, D.C., the people were excluded; other states the people’s votes have been excluded. And I think in Maryland, we need to take pride in saying we are a government of the people, by the people, for the people."
Fellow Democrat Delegate Luiz Simmons, D-Montgomery County, countered, "Let us have the conviction and courage of our convictions and vote this bill, the bill before us, either up or down and let people know where we stand."
Liza Polyak said she and her partner have waited 30 years to marry.
"What we want is to have the government offer a marriage license, which is a civil marriage license," she said.
Opponents vow to continue the fight.
"Our church, Immanuel's Church in Silver Spring, we support marriage as between the tradition one man, one woman, and we feel that’s the sanctity of marriage," Minister Robert Nelson said.
House Majority Leader Kumar Barve predicted the bill will pass by a close vote and then opponents will begin a petition drive to put the issue before Maryland's voters in a referendum in next year's election.
