Gay Marriage Bills Proposed With Almost 50 Sponsors

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Forty-nine lawmakers have signed on to bills allowing gay marriage in Maryland.

Sponsors of the bills introduced in the House and Senate said they have seen more support for the idea than ever before.

The bills would remove gender definitions in state marriage law. They would also include the caveat that religious leaders would not be required to perform or recognize the unions.

"No church or mosque or synagogue in the United States should ever be forced to marry anyone that it doesn't want to," said state Sen. James Raskin, D-Montgomery County. "If a religion wants to discriminate against interfaith couples, interracial couples or same-sex couples, they have every right to do so, and we codify that right in this bill."

The bills are aimed at government and say that committed gay couples should be allowed to transfer property and pensions, share health insurance and make medical decisions for their loved ones, just as heterosexual couples do, News4's Wendy Rieger reported.

"If government is going to give rights and privileges in this country, we have an obligation, we have a duty to do that without partiality and prejudice, and that is simply what this bill does," said Delegate Ben Barnes, D-Anne Arundel.

Almost all of the sponsors come from Montgomery and Prince George's counties. Supporters said they are seeking support in other areas.

Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller reportedly opposes the measures, as does the Catholic Church, Rieger said.

Gay rights groups said they think opposition is weakening.

"I think that the Maryland Catholic office is out of step with the majority of Catholics. They don't want to discriminate against anybody, and as long as their church has the freedom to do or not do what they want, they shouldn't get in the way of the civil realm," said Dan Furmansky of Equality Maryland.

Two of the bills' co-sponsors are openly gay.

Sen. Heather Mazeer stood with her partner, holding a replica of their marriage certificate, which is symbolic.

The late Sen. Gwendolyn Britt, who died two weeks ago, was a strong supporter of the measures.