City of Baltimore - File #: 08-0013R

• File #: 08-0013R
• Version: 0
• Name: Request for Support of State Legislation - Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act
• Type: City Council Resolution
• Status: Adopted
• File created: 2/4/2008
• In control: City Council
• Final action: 3/17/2008
• Title: Request for Support of State Legislation - Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act FOR the purpose of urging the Baltimore City House and Senate Delegations to the 2008 Maryland General Assembly and the Governor of Maryland to end discrimination against same-sex couples and their families by passing Senate Bill 290 and House Bill 351, the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, which would amend state law to remove references to sex and gender as eligibility requirements for a civil marriage license and enact a law providing for equal access to marriage and all of its legal benefits and obligations by all persons, regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
• Sponsors: Bill Henry, Robert Curran, Mary Pat Clarke
• Indexes: Civil Marriage, Religious Freedom, Resolution

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
3/17/2008	0	Judiciary and Legislative Investigations	Recommended Favorably with Amendment
3/17/2008	0	City Council	Adopted as Amended
2/11/2008	0	Judiciary and Legislative Investigations	Scheduled for a Public Hearing
2/4/2008	0	City Council	Introduced
2/4/2008	0	City Council	Assigned

* 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: Councilmember Henry


A RESOLUTION ENTITLED

A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
Request for Support of State Legislation - Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act

FOR the purpose of urging the Baltimore City House and Senate Delegations to the 2008 Maryland General Assembly and the Governor of Maryland to end discrimination against same-sex couples and their families by passing Senate Bill 290 and House Bill 351, the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, which would amend state law to remove references to sex and gender as eligibility requirements for a civil marriage license and enact a law providing for equal access to marriage and all of its legal benefits and obligations by all persons, regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
Body

WHEREAS, Maryland is home to thousands of gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals, including many same-sex couples, many raising children; and

WHEREAS, These families deserve the same rights and legal protections as other families under the law, including the protection of their children's economic interests by insuring their access to the resources of both parents; and

WHEREAS, Marriage is a unique civil institution, administered by the state, and separate and distinct from any religious, ethnic, or other tradition; and

WHEREAS, Marriage bestows thousands of state and federal rights,...