The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act (SB 565/ HB1055) that would end marriage discrimination for same-sex couples failed to make it out of either the Senate or House committees for the second year. However, the number of co-sponsors of this legislation increased to 53. UULM-MD testified and participated in major events promoting this legislation including the Annual Equality Maryland Lobby Night where UUs were the largest faith group present.

The committees also heard testimony concerning Maryland's Marriage Protection Act (SB 647/HB 913), which proposed a constitutional amendment stating that marriage is only between a man and a woman. HB 913 received an Unfavorable Report by the Judiciary Committee on March 26 by 13-6-1 for the first time. The Senate bill, SB 647, also failed to leave the committee.

Members of the Davies Memorial UU

Church at an Equality Maryland Rally in Annapolis.

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To contact UULM-MD's Marriage Equality Task Force Coordinator, the Rev. Lisa
Ward, write to marriageequality@uulmmd.org

For more information on these and other issues related to the civil right of same-sex couples, go to Equality Maryland.

Click here for talking points on marriage equality.

For a helpful list of basic definitions related to sexual orientation and gender identity, click here.

UULM-MD members at an Equality Maryland Rally

To read testimony by the Rev. Lisa Ward in favor of ending marriage discrimination against same sex couples, click here. - Coming Soon

To read UULM-MD's background statement on marriage equality, click here. - Coming Soon

For information on the documentary, For the Bible Tells Me So, click here.

Approximately 50 UUs from 10 congregations across the state met at the UU Church of Annapolis prior to the Equality Maryland Lobby Day events on February 11.  Participants heard inspirational words from Rev. Lisa Ward, gathered information about the bill and their legislators’ stances on it, and shared tips for effective advocacy.  Then they joined almost 500 people (at least 100 were UUs, including 55 who arrived on the Cedar Lane Freedom to Marry bus!) to rally on Lawyer’s Mall and meet with their legislators.  Thanks to all who participated!

UULM-MD has been partially funded by the UU Fund for Social Responsibility and the UU Service Committee.

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Unitarian Univeralist Legislative Ministry of Maryland
c/o Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis
333 Dubois Road | Annapolis, MD 21401
410-266-8044, ext. 111 (phone) | info@uulmmd.org