Same-Sex Marriage Supporters Plan To Rally In Annapolis
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- The battle over Maryland's same-sex marriage bill heats up as supporters of the proposal plan to rally in Annapolis Monday.
Andrea Fujii reports it's something opponents did last month.
Last month, opponents of the state's same-sex marriage proposal rallied near the State House steps. Their message to lawmakers: vote no on the bill. The future of the bill rests in the hands of lawmakers in the House. It's a battle that's expected to be one of the longest and hard-fought in the state legislature.
"I don't believe that we're going to lose," said Delegate Emmett Burns.
Burns is against the bill. He's also a pastor in Baltimore County and says more religious groups are speaking out against the proposal.
"People are rushing up to me saying,`We don't want this,'" Burns said.
"It's going to be close but we're going to be successful," said Delegate Luke Clippinger.
Clippinger is one of eight openly gay Maryland lawmakers who want same-sex marriage legalized in the state. His office is bombarded with phone calls for and against the bill, but on Monday, Clippinger plans to support a rally in Annapolis backing the bill. He says at least 1,000 supporters are expected.
"It's a sign of growing support that we have in this issue and I think we're going to see that support grow in the days to come," Clippinger said.
As both sides rally their supporters, 71 votes are needed to pass the same-sex marriage bill. Last year, a similar bill passed in the Senate but fell short in the House.
At least a dozen delegates are undecided on the issue.
