Maryland state Sen. Jim Brochin said he decided to vote in favor of a gay marriage bill following what he called an “appalling” display by opponents of the issue during a Judicial Proceedings Committee hearing on Feb. 8.
“I walked into committee and what I heard from the opposition to the bill was appalling,” Brochin told reporters. “It was disgusting. I heard that homosexuals and same-sex couples were androids. I heard that they were pedophiles. I just heard hate and venom coming out of that hearing for eight hours.”
Brochin, a Democrat from Baltimore County, had previously planned to vote against the same-sex marriage proposal. But, “I'm not going to be part of the vilification of gays on the senate floor,” he said. “I'm uncomfortable with the word ‘marriage’ but I am much more uncomfortable with the vilification of gays and homosexuality.”
Brochin’s vote brings to 21 the number of senators who have said they will support the bill, which needs 24 votes to pass. Among the supporters is one Republican, Sen. Allan H. Kittleman of Howard. Six members are either undecided or unannounced on the measure.
The bill is should reach the Maryland Senate floor next week. The Maryland House of Delegates is expected to easily pass the measure, and Gov. Martin O’Malley has said he would sign it into law.
According to Annapolis-based pollster Gonzales Research, 51 percent of Maryland residents support gay marriage.
Maryland already has a law requiring employers to offer benefits to the same-sex domestic partners of their workers.
“I walked into committee and what I heard from the opposition to the bill was appalling,” Brochin told reporters. “It was disgusting. I heard that homosexuals and same-sex couples were androids. I heard that they were pedophiles. I just heard hate and venom coming out of that hearing for eight hours.”
Brochin, a Democrat from Baltimore County, had previously planned to vote against the same-sex marriage proposal. But, “I'm not going to be part of the vilification of gays on the senate floor,” he said. “I'm uncomfortable with the word ‘marriage’ but I am much more uncomfortable with the vilification of gays and homosexuality.”
Brochin’s vote brings to 21 the number of senators who have said they will support the bill, which needs 24 votes to pass. Among the supporters is one Republican, Sen. Allan H. Kittleman of Howard. Six members are either undecided or unannounced on the measure.
The bill is should reach the Maryland Senate floor next week. The Maryland House of Delegates is expected to easily pass the measure, and Gov. Martin O’Malley has said he would sign it into law.
According to Annapolis-based pollster Gonzales Research, 51 percent of Maryland residents support gay marriage.
Maryland already has a law requiring employers to offer benefits to the same-sex domestic partners of their workers.
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