Sen. Britt (D-47) to sponsor gay marriage bill; Del. Davis (D-25) opposes it

(Updated 28 Oct 2007)

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A Call for Unity on Same-Sex Unions.
Post, 28 Oct 2007 (Rein).

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African Americans in Maryland are deeply divided over same-sex marriage, an issue that pushes many to weigh their commitment to civil rights against powerful religious convictions.
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Take, for example, two Prince George's County Democrats, Sen. Gwendolyn T. Britt and Del. Dereck E. Davis. Davis has said he will be guided by religious leaders who believe marriage is between a man and a woman. Britt, who plans to sponsor the same-sex marriage bill, echoes the messages of the civil rights era that the Constitution protects everyone.
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Group seeking black support of gay marriage; Organizers raise civil rights parallel.
Sun, 25 Oct 2007 (Brewington).

. . . Black lawmakers such as Sen. Gwendolyn T. Britt, a Prince George's County Democrat, have pledged support. Britt plans to introduce a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage. . . . [Full story]

New black family alliance pushes for same-sex marriage.
Examiner, 26 Oct 2007 (Volkmann).

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Sen. Gwendolyn Britt, D-Prince George’s County, said she plans to sponsor a bill at the start of the regular session of the General Assembly in January that would make gay marriage legal but stipulate that churches can decide individually whether they would perform the ceremonies.

“Just as I stood up against racial discrimination in the 1960s,” Britt said, “I will speak up against the injustice against same-sex couples in Maryland.”
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[Full story]

Changing blacks’ tune on same-sex marriage?; Newly formed Maryland Black Family Alliance says it is a civil right.
Gazette, 26 Oct 2007 (Moore & Davis).

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Opponents of same-sex marriage ought to ‘‘realize that these are not people from Mars,” said Sen. Gwendolyn T. Britt (D-Dist. 47) of Landover Hills, one of the alliance’s founders. ‘‘They’re human beings like everyone else. They have loving families and raise children like everyone else does.”

In January, Britt plans to sponsor a marriage equality bill that would put same-sex couples on the same legal footing as heterosexual ones.

‘‘It’s a long process,” she said. ‘‘It’s an educational process, and we have to continue the dialogue.”

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• Del. Dereck E. Davis (D-25) Bio & Phone | E-mail
• Sen. Gwendolyn Britt (D-47) Bio & Phone | E-mail