In Maryland, Marriage Equality With a Twist  | News | Advocate.com

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01/26/08-01/28/08
In Maryland, Marriage Equality With a Twist

Maryland legislators Friday announced the introduction of a bill, the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, that would provide equal access to civil marriage for same-sex couples while ensuring that religious institutions continue to have the right to perform and recognize only the marriages of their choosing.

"This is a historic step forward for the state of Maryland and all of its citizens," said Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese in a press release. "Right now, loving and committed same-sex couples in Maryland and their families are denied the more than 1,000 basic legal rights that a marriage license provides. This legislation would remedy this unequal treatment and ensure that all Maryland families receive, under Maryland law, the equal rights they deserve."

HRC is working with LGBT advocacy group Equality Maryland to move the bill forward in the statehouse. (The Advocate)

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