Same-Sex Couples Call For Right To Marry

Written by Weijia Jiang Thursday, 12 March 2009 11:33

Advocates for same-sex marriage in Maryland are fighting to pass a bill that would re-define marriage as a union between two people, regardless of gender.

Last year, state lawmakers rejected a similar bill but, as Weijia Jiang reports, this year, supporters are optimistic.

Five years ago, Gita Deane and Lisa Polyak joined eight couples to sue the state of Maryland for banning same-sex marriages.

"Separate is never equal, and what do our parents say? Our parents are civilly unionized? Domestically partnered? I mean, that just sounds so horrible to me," Deane said.

They lost, but on Wednesday, Deane and Polyak were back in Annapolis, determined to change the law with the help of Senator Rich Madaleno, the only openly gay member of the state Senate. Madaleno is the lead sponsor of a bill to recognize civil marriage.

"When I'm on the Senate floor, I'm one of 47 equals with all the rights and privileges of my fellow senators. Yet when I go into this hearing today to ask for marriage equality, I will be a second-class citizen," Madaleno said.

Several people testified at the Senate hearing, each with his or her personal story.

"If 42 years, one month and eight days is not a commitment and a marriage, I don't know what is," said JB Hanson.

"People didn't realize that I couldn't legally be married," said Michael Lacy.

Also testifying today were state health leaders who say there's a direct link between being married and being healthy.

Health benefits are just some of countless reasons Polyak says it's time for a change.

"Whatever your personal concerns are about why this might not be right for you--and I would completely respect that--I know that you have legal protections that you cherish and I simply want access to those same legal protections for my family," Polyak said.

A House hearing is scheduled for Thursday. Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler and former Republican Congressman Wayne Gilchrest are among those testifying.

The Maryland statute that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman has been in place since 1973.