Preview: Maryland Delegates Debate Same-Sex Marriage

ANNAPOLIS—Delegate Don Dwyer (R-Glen Burnie), who that he was ready to fight the legalization of same-sex marriage in Maryland, held a press conference Friday before the long day of testimony in the House Judiciary Committee.

"I do not hate homosexuals," Dwyer said. "They are created in God's image and therefore are to be loved like every other individual. But don't ask us to legalize same-sex marriage. We simply are not going to do it."

Dwyer's bill, which would create a Constitutional amendment that defines marriage as being between one man and one woman, was one of a trio of bills discussed during the committee hearing.

House bills 55 and 175, both titled "Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act," are nearly identical and alter "the definition of a valid marriage by repealing the reference to a man and a woman and specifying instead that only a marriage between two individuals who are not otherwise prohibited from marrying is valid in Maryland," according to the bill's fiscal and policy note.

"Gay and lesbian Americans have sought...the right to serve openly in the American military and potentially to die on the field in battle. That's right. These are good people who believe in and love America, their communities [and] their families," said Delegate Kumar Barve (D-Gaithersburg), primary sponsor of HB 55. "If they are prepared to [die], I trust that we as legislators...are prepared to protect their liberties and their rights as well."

Delegate Emmett C. Burns Jr. (D-Woodlawn) was one of about five legislators to speak with Dwyer in opposition to same-sex marriage before the day's hearings.

"Let it be known—they may win in the Senate, they may win in the House, but when the history of this fight is over, we shall and will win on referendum," he said.

Check back Monday for full coverage of the day's hearing.