Same-Sex Marriage Opponents Vow To Keep Fighting
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- As same-sex couples continue celebrating a historic decision that may allow them to marry, those against the state's same-sex marriage bill are vowing to fight against it.
Gigi Barnett explains for some, that battle for and against could be waged in the churches.
The hope of marriage is just on the horizon for same-sex couples in Maryland, thanks to a groundbreaking vote in the state legislature last week.
"It shouldn't matter who you decide to love. We should still all have the same equal rights, no matter what," said Michelle McGirt, same-sex marriage supporter.
But those against the state's Civil Marriage Protection Bill say the fight continues for them, and one place where that war may go on is between places of worship.
"The end is not here. It ain't over til it's over," said Delegate Emmett Burns.
Delegate Emmett Burns is a staunch opponent of the bill. He's also a pastor of the Rising Sun Baptist Church in Baltimore County. He says the next step now is collecting signatures to place the issue on a referendum come November.
"We will get the requisite number of signatures and we will have it on the ballot and they will lose badly," Burns said.
Members of the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore lobbied lawmakers to allow same-sex marriage. They agree with opponents on one thing.
"It's a long haul. It's going to be a long haul," said Mary Gardner, same-sex marriage supporter.
The bill will now go to the Senate for a vote. If it passes there, Governor Martin O'Malley says he will sign the bill into law.
If voters pass the measure, Maryland would become the eighth state to legalize same-sex marriage.
