ANNAPOLIS – A cultural rift fueled by religious conviction has been firmly cemented between Maryland’s Washington-area suburbs — or at least among its lawmakers — as the state moves toward legalizing gay marriage. Many Prince George’s County senators said they will vote against same-sex matrimony Thursday despite unanimous support for the measure from their political brethren in Montgomery County.
“I have some dear friends from Prince George’s County who I vote with 99 percent of the time,” said state Sen. Karen Montgomery, D-Silver Spring/Burtonsville/Olney. “This is that 1 percent where we differ and it’s solely because of religion. There are more fundamental churches over there — a strong population of people who aren’t exposed to gay people except in a negative way.”
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The vote will showcase a rare legislative break between the two jurisdictions, as Montgomery lawmakers hail the expected political victory as a landmark liberal achievement that brings Maryland in line with the District and five other left-leaning states that allow gay marriage. But many in Prince George’s, widely influenced by traditional religious values, are bucking the growing momentum behind the legislation.
The Senate approved the legislation in a preliminary 25-22 tally Wednesday, and a final vote is expected Thursday. The bill then will be sent to the House, the more liberal of the two chambers, and Democratic Gov. Martin O’Malley has indicated he will sign it.
A handful of Prince George’s senators successfully lobbied for an amendment that would exempt churches and religious organizations from performing same-sex weddings or celebrations if they choose.
State Sen. C. Anthony Muse said the immunity was needed to recognize those who were against gay marriage for “moral and religions reasons.” And state Sen. Joanne C. Benson added that the exemption was essential to “protect” her church’s catering service from being forced to serve homosexual couples.
Sponsors of the legislation said gay marriage would have been blocked without such concessions.
“We’ve bent over backwards to accommodate people who have strong religious and cultural differences with [same-sex marriage] and you certainly see that in Prince George’s County,” said Sen. Jamie Raskin, D-Silver Spring.
Four of seven Prince George’s senators are against the bill. A referendum on the measure is likely, meaning Maryland voters ultimately will decide its fate.
