Maryland House Fails to Vote on Marriage Equality Bill: Lambda Legal Says, "This Is Not the End."

(New York, March 11, 2011)—Today, the Maryland House re-committed back to committee the marriage equality bill that had previously been approved by the Senate, delaying equality to Maryland's same-sex couples.

Statement from Susan Sommer, Director of Constitutional Litigation at Lambda Legal:

"On behalf of many same-sex couples and their families who seek equality, we are disappointed by the Maryland House's failure today to finish the job started by the Senate last month. But this is not the end.

"We commend the state Senators who passed the Civil Marriage Protection Act and the House Delegates who have staunchly supported marriage equality. We urge the House to soon bring the bill to a successful vote and give critical protections to Maryland's thousands of same-sex couples and their families. We applaud Equality Maryland for its tireless and ongoing work for Maryland families.

"Thousands of same-sex couples in Maryland are still not allowed to get married in their home state and must travel out of state to better protect their families.

"As in New York, it is well-settled law in Maryland that out-of-state marriages are given legal recognition, even if such marriages cannot be obtained here. What an unfair paradox that continues for Marylanders who wish to get married. It's long past time to remove the barrier standing in the way of same-sex couples getting married in Maryland and to provide the dignity, security and equality they deserve.

"Lambda Legal will continue to work in Maryland on behalf of our clients, three couples who, despite being married out-of-state, are wrongly being denied the security and protections that come with marriage. But no matter how many times we defend families in court or how consistently the state upholds recognition of out-of-state marriages, same-sex couples in Maryland are still vulnerable to discrimination until they have full marriage equality."

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