Last year O’Malley supported a similar same sex marriage bill, which did not pass. This year he presents a similar bill that expands more on the religious freedom aspect. The bill was sent to the Maryland General Assembly on January 23rd. Many are saying that the bill is likely to go to referendum, meaning that Maryland citizens will vote for the bill on the November 2012 ballot. The largest population who oppose the bill are conservative African American, Islamic, Jewish, and Roman Catholic churches. Even so, Reverend Starlene Joyner Burns spoke in favor of the bill and says she hopes that “every adult will be able to get a marriage license and they can marry the person they love” (qtd. from abc video). This bill attempts to obtain marriage equality, while also allowing religious freedom throughout the state of Maryland. He says in a statement that places of worship that decide not to perform same sex marriages will not be punished.
Listen to Governor O’Malley speak more about the bill in this video:
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