Bills establishing gay marriage or civil unions for same-gender couples in Maryland appear dead in State House committees.
But two bills granting rights shared by spouses to “domestic partners” have passed the Senate, and opponents see that as a gradual chipping away of the traditional notion of marriage.
“We don?t have the votes to bring [the civil marriage bill] out of committee,” said Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Chairman Brian Frosh, D-Montgomery.
“What we?ve seen on the floor is about what you?re going to get.”
Del. Heather Mizeur, D-Montgomery, who has a gay partner, said she believed votes existed to get the marriage bill out of the House.
“The Senate is the more difficult chamber to move these bills,” she said.
The legislation on domestic partners is part of an effort to correct a number of inequalities, she said. Passing civil marriage is still the ultimate goal.
Strategy at work
The Senate has approved legislation giving domestic partners medical visitation rights and decision-making rights in emergencies. The senators also agreed to waive recordation taxes on property transfers to domestic partners, a measure that could cost county government millions.
Still tiedup in committees of both chambers are bills to waive inheritance taxes on domestic partners, which spouses now enjoy, a measure that could be expensive for the state.
More than just gays
On the opposing side, committees also seem unlikely to vote on legislation to establish in the state constitution that marriage is only between one man and one woman. That is state law.
Critics of domestic partners bills such as Sens. Alex Mooney, R-Frederick and Washington, and Janet Greenip, R-Anne Arundel, point out that the partners bills not only establish rights for gays, but for many more unmarried heterosexual couples “shacking up.”
“If you want to encourage [marriage], you have to give them special privileges,” Mooney said.
Sen. Rona Kramer, D-Montgomery, sponsor of the recordation tax bill, said, “this is not only a measure for same-sex couples, it is for our senior citizens” and others who establish relationships and don?t want to lose their houses when their partner dies.
To be domestic partners, couples need only sign an affidavit and show two forms of shared property or finances indicating mutual support and dependence.
Catholic opposition
Representatives of Catholic bishops consistently have opposed all forms of the domestic partners legislation. Richard Dowling, director of the Maryland Catholic Conference, said gay marriage “has moved significantly ahead” this year.
“Their tactic is a winning one and a well-chosen one,” he said.
“They will have assigned privileges and rights for homosexual and heterosexual couples heretofore reserved for the married.”
