* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmembers Kraft, Reisinger
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
Request for State Action - Equal Access to Marriage
FOR the purpose of urging the Baltimore City delegation to the Maryland General Assembly to maintain the recent momentum toward ending discrimination against same-sex couples and their families by introducing and securing passage of legislation providing for equal access to marriage and all of its legal benefits and obligations for all persons, regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
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WHEREAS, Maryland is home to over ten thousand same-sex households, many raising children, and all of whom deserve the same rights and legal protections as other families.
WHEREAS, The goal of the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland is, and should be, to protect families and promote household stability.
WHEREAS, By denying same-sex couples the ability to legally marry, Maryland systematically denies thousands of families access to the more than 1,138 civil federal rights, protections, and responsibilities automatically granted to married heterosexual couples, as well as the more than 425 civil rights and protections provided by Maryland law.
WHEREAS, Providing equal access to these rights and protections is a crucial step toward the protection of Maryland families.
WHEREAS, New York recently passed landmark marriage equality legislation, joining the District of Columbia and states such as Connecticut, Iowa, and New Hampshire, and marking a historic bipartisan effort on this important issue.
WHEREAS, Recent research has shown that a majority of Americans now support same-sex marriage.
WHEREAS, As a state that is committed to equality for all of its citizens, it is Maryland's duty to be a leader on marriage equality, even as this issue gains momentum across the country.
WHEREAS, Enacting such legislation would not require clergy or other religious ministers to perform services that would in any way conflict with the tenets of their faith; nor would it prevent a religious or denominational institution or organization from taking such action as it deems necessary to promote the religious principles for which it is established or maintained.
WHEREAS, Denial of marriage to same-sex couples is the denial of a fundamental civil right that cannot continue in the State of Maryland.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, that the City Council of Baltimore urges the Baltimore City delegation to the Maryland General Assembly to maintain the recent momentum toward ending discrimination against same-sex couples and their families by introducing and securing passage of legislation providing for equal access to marriage and all of its legal benefits and obligations for all persons, regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Governor, the Honorable Chair and Members of the Baltimore City House and Senate Delegations to the Maryland General Assembly, the President of the Maryland Senate, the Maryland House Speaker, the Mayor, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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