LWVMD Testimony SB 290 – Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act
Presented To:
Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee
Date Presented:
14 Feb 2008
LWV Position:
Support
The League of Women Voters of Maryland supports the proposed legislation which would allow state sanctioned, legally recognized unions which convey rights, benefits and obligations to same-sex partners who seek such unions.
Under Maryland law, marriage is a bundle tying together rights and responsibilities. These rights and responsibilities govern not just the relationship of the partners but also affect dependent children, medical care providers, employers, and the community at large. The law of marriage ensures that a person claiming the rights of marriage also is bound by its responsibilities. The League feels that the people of Maryland would be better served by authorizing an expansion of marriage eligibility.
In keeping with the principle of separation of church and state, the League prefers making the basis of state recognition of all marriages/civil unions a civil proceeding, with an additional step of marriage in accordance with religious traditions a voluntary option.
