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Baltimore Black Pride Encourages the Maryland State Senate to Pass the Marriage Equality Bill

On February 17, 2012 the Maryland House of Delegates voted in favor of House Bill 438, the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which will allow gay and lesbian couples to marry in the State of Maryland. After many months of advocacy by the Marylanders for Marriage Equality Coalition and gaining the support of 72 to 62 of the state delegates, the historic vote for marriage equality marks a momentous move in the movement for equal rights.

“Civil Rights icon Bayard Rustin said, we can agitate the right questions by probing at the contradictions. While there are still gaps to close, the vote by the Delegates for marriage equality is a testament to the probing of the right contradictions by a broad diverse coalition advocates and allies working together with legislative leaders close the barriers of inequality in Maryland, said Carlton Smith, President of Baltimore Black Pride.

Maryland would join seven states, Massachusetts, Iowa, Vermont, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Washington and the District of Columbia, who allow same sex couples to marry. Additionally, the February 7, 2012 decision by the California Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional has reignited the energy of LGBT communities and allies across the country to continue building bridges that will further strengthen the support for individuals to marry and define family in ways consistent the long held American value of equality of all.

"This is a wonderful first step to secure the protections and obligations that civil marriage provides for loving couples. However, Black LGBT people know that the pursuit of equality and justice is not over. We continue to build bridges and relationships in the African American community that will sustain and facilitate lasting and positive change", said Rev. Mother Meredith Moise, Baltimore Black Pride Board Co-Chair.

Contact: Carlton Smith 443-691-9669 or Carltonraysmith@gmail.com