Yesterday, for Valentines’ Day, my wife joined me on a date
to lobby our state senator, Ed Reilly,
to support Maryland Senate Bill 116,
the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act. Sponsored by Equality Maryland, a group of about 20 made our way into Senator Reilly’s office to
petition his backing on the legislation.
Mr. Reilly was a gracious host and attentive listener. Several people gave impassioned speeches; from
my dear wife relating a story of a veteran in the VA Hospital suffering from
dementia and who’s partner of several years was unable to be involved in the
process of determining long term care to the gentleman behind us who spoke of
being in a monogamous relationship with his partner for 21 years, raising two
adopted children and putting them through college and starting families of
their own, lamenting that they are unable to be recognized as spouses in their
home state.
When we were finished with our reasoning for supporting
marriage equality, Mr. Reilly made clear that he appreciated everyone for
taking the time to share these moving stories with him and expressing his
empathy for those impacted by lack of equal protections under the law; however,
he also explained that as a Catholic, he cannot and could not support marriage
equality – that his religious views and values did not enable him to lend his
backing to the bill and that he would end up voting no on the legislation. He expressed his consistency for opposing gay
marriage, being pro-life, and anti-death penalty on his religious beliefs while
reiterating his support for anti-discrimination based on gender and sexual
orientation.
Needless to say our group left his office with the wind out
of our sails. However, rather than make this about how religion impacts social
equality, time is running out on this piece of legislation with a vote
scheduled for tomorrow.
As I write this,
one additional vote is needed to pass the state senate. Currently there are three undecideds, all
Democrats, and only one is needed to move this legislation forward. If you have a moment and wish to express your
opinions on this issue please contact the following:
Sen. John Astle, - john.astle@senate.state.md.us
Democrat, District 30, Anne Arundel
County
Sen. Ulysses Currie - ulysses.currie@senate.state.md.us
Democrat, District 25, Prince George's
County
Sen. James Rosapepe - jim.rosapepe@senate.state.md.us
Democrat, District 21, Prince George's
County & Anne
Arundel County
You can also do so by clicking here. Please do so today as tomorrow literally will be too late, at least for this legislative session.
People in District 33 elected Ed Reilly as their senator because they thought he could be a good legislator. They did not specifically elect a Catholic who would follow the dictates of Rome when it came to making laws for the people of Maryland.
ReplyDeleteAs a Catholic, as a constiuent of Senator Reilly,
I am terribly disappointed in his line of reasonsing and with all my heart, I hope he can rise above his personal feelings, his religious training, and vote as Senator from Maryland. He is free to hold on to his religious beliefs; we are not asking him to marry a lesbian, nor would we ask him to have an abortion. We do have in this wonderful country - separation of church and state. We are asking him to respect the equal rights of all to select their way of life and to look upon marriage as a lifelong commitment. Ann Marie Remillard
One day we will move past all of this this second class citizenship. Although many Catholics still follow the Vatican, the body of the Catholic church is changing. There are good organizations within the church and they are making progress toward acceptance of gay & lesbians Catholics. New Ways Ministries, Maryland Catholics for Equality, Dignity, Fortunate Families and others are making progress with their supportive work.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I would say to a Catholic legislator is, this is not a theocracy. If we follow that tradition we are one day at risk of being out numbered by the population of a religion we do not wish to follow. It might not be so pleasant to live in that world. Now put yourself in those shoes and you will realize much.