Mayor Michael Bloomberg Donates $250,000 To Support Same-Sex Marriage In Maryland
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg is putting his money where his mouth is.
The Billionaire mayor has donated $250,000 to help support same-sex marriage in Maryland.
In March 2012, a bill to legalize same-sex marriage was signed into law by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, making Maryland the eighth state in the U.S. to recognize same-sex marriage.
On Friday, Bloomberg posted the following note on the Web site Marylanders For Marriage Equality:
Friend -
Maryland will always hold a special place in my heart. I went to college at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, and have remained active in the Hopkins community. So when Governor O'Malley asked me to support Question 6, I didn't hesitate. As a business leader and Mayor of New York City, I do not believe that government has any business telling one class of couples that they cannot marry. The 14th Amendment guarantees us all equal protection under the law, and that's what Question 6 does — it treats all citizens equally under the law, while protecting religious liberty at the same time.
Two years ago, I was proud to support the effort to pass marriage equality in the State of New York — and the bi-partisan support it received resulted in one of our state's great civil rights victories. Around the country, a few legislatures and state courts have taken action to extend marriage equality to all couples, regardless of gender. But never before have voters affirmed marriage equality in a statewide referendum. By voting "FOR" on Question 6, I believe Maryland will become the first state in the nation to affirm marriage equality at the ballot box.
On Tuesday, November 6th – Election Day – you will have an opportunity to make history. The next great barrier to full equality under the law is marriage equality. There is no doubt in my mind this barrier will fall, just as so many others have. The question is not if, but when. And it is my hope that you will answer that question for Maryland on Tuesday, November 6th.
Please join me and support Question 6.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg
The Mayor also tweeted a few messages on Twitter including, "I'm proud to contribute $250,000 in support of #marriage equality in Maryland: http://bit.ly/QpKmb3 cc: @MD4Equality #VoteFor6"
If the referendum passes, Maryland will become the first state to affirm same-sex marriage at the polls.
Do you agree with Bloomberg's stance on same-sex marriage? Let us know below.
