the Family Protection Lobby

On Wednesday, March 3, 2010, Mega Church leaders from Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Prince George and Montgomery counties took the day off to stand for marriage in our state's capital. About 60 Pastors, ministers and congregants from prominate churches all across Maryland gathered for a press conference at noon to express their concern about the recent threats to marriage and the current law.

Current Maryland law states that marriage between a man and a woman is valid in this state. The Attorney General of Maryland, Doug Gansler release an opinion last week stating that, despite the law, Maryland can and should recognize marriages between two men or two woman.

That afternoon, Maryland's Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee heard Senate Bill 852, a bill that would clarify that same-sex marriages performed in other states or countries would not be recognized in Maryland. Many of the church leaders there testified before the committee urging their support for SB 852 and warning of the political and social consequences or same-sex marriage.

During the hearing, Pastor Paul Schindler of Living Hope Church stated that the very fact that an elected official such as the Attorney General would overstep his authority to usurp the responsibilities of the people and the legislature to redefine marriage is great concern to him and his family.

Another Pastor, originally from Nigeria, illustrated the same concern that what he saw this type of political bullying in his own country and suggests that America cannot coach other countries to democracy if our own elected officials are acting against it.

The testimony from the homosexual lobby produced several stories of children being discriminated against because of their mother's lifestyle. It was suggested that redefining marriage to any gender would give their relationship some legitimaecy and stop the discrimination. Another testimony came from a teenage-girl, daughter of a lesbian couple, who proclaimed that she "does not need a father" and that her mothers give her all the love she needs.

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Maryland's Attorney General, Doug Gansler, chose today to release a long-awaited opinion in response to a request by Sen. Richard Madaleno. Sen. Madelano, an openly gay representative from Montgomery county, asked for an official opinion on recognizing same-sex "marriages" from other states or countries. Ganslers response: "The answer to that question is clearly 'yes'."

This Attorney General's opinion (which can be viewed here) comes just a week away from a scheduled hearing on a bill dealing with the same issue. Senator Norman Stone, with many colleagues co-sponsoring, has introduced a bill proposing the opposite opinion. Senate Bill 852 would keep marriage in Maryland recognized as a covenant between only one man and one woman. This hearing is scheduled on Wednesday, March 3rd at 1:00pm in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee.

The question of defining marriage has been a continual battle here in Maryland. The result of numerous legislation and court cases leaves us with Maryland law still stating clearly that marriage in solely between one man and one women. Our state's highest court, the Maryland Court of Appeals, also ruled that Maryland's marriage law is Constitutional and legally binding.

This Attorney General's opinion seems to be contrary to the previous rulings by the legislature and the court. Some say the next step for this marriage question should be the citizens of Maryland. In order to make a clear and defining statement on this issue, the people should decide by referendum in this coming elections.

Take Action!

Whether a referdum comes or not, there are steps you can take NOW to protect marriage in Maryland!

1. Pray. Petition God to bless our state in this situation; ask that His Will be done and that His definition for marriage to remain.

2. Contact. Call, write, email your state senators and let them know that you SUPPORT Senate Bill 852 and OPPOSE the Attorney General opinon.

3. Show up. Come to the hearing next Wednesday, starting at 1:00pm. If you would like to testify, please contact us at mdfamilies@gmail.com.

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Delegate Emmitt Burns, a Democrat from District 10 (Baltimore County) sponsered House Bill 90 (click here) entitled "Same Sex Marriages - Foreign Jurisdictions - Invalidity". This bill will be heard before the House Judiciary Committee and will be opened to the public Thursday, January 28th starting 1:00pm.

HB 90 would ensure that marriage remains defined as a union of one man and one woman (as current Maryland law reads). The language of this bill specifies this protection of marriage in cases which same-sex couples, recognized as married" in another state, should move to reside in Maryland. According to this bill, their union would not force current Maryland law to change.

The Family Protection Lobby is in full support of this bill. We believe that marriage is the foundation of the family and that the family is the foundation of society. It is important that marriages remain whole and healthy for the sake of our society. The definition of marriage is one man with one woman; Maryland law recogizes that and no foreign juristicion has the authority to change it.

If you feel that marriage should be protected in Maryland, please support our efforts in the follow ways:

1. Pray for us. Please lift us up in prayer as we continue to lobby for Christian family values in Maryland. Pray that the testimony in support would draw a conviniencing argument for this legislation to pass. Pray for the Chairman Delegate Joe Vallario, that he would preside fairly and vote his values. Pray for encouragement on Delegate Burns and all those legislators and citizens working in support of marriage.

2. Give to the Cause. Please prayfully consider giving to the Family Protection Lobby. We work to protect the values we all hold dear in public policy. We are the watchmen on the wall, your voice in annapolis. Please support our efforts by giving online or volunteering with our organization. Find more on donating here.

3. Show Up. If you are able, please come to the committee. Even if you feel you cannot testify, come represent the other families across Maryland in support of traditoinal marriage. Please call us if you plan to come. We wish to accommodate you as our guest once you are down in annapolis. Call us at 410.760.9166.

4. Tell your friends. Share this email with your family and friends. They need to know what's going on in the legislature that will affect their family and all the families of Maryland.

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The 2010 Maryland General Assembly session began last Wednesday, January 13 and is scheduled to end Monday, April 12. We at the Family Protection Lobby will be down in Annapolis; keeping track of the issues that effect our families.

During this 90 day session, we will have serveral opportunities for you and your family to come represent all the families of Maryland and help us lobby for Christian family values in our state. Download our Session Information Sheet for the necessary details for you to be involved. Also, please join us for our Cookie Day in February (details to come) and the Maryland March for Life held on Monday, March 8th.

In the coming weeks, we will provide details on the legislation that affects our families along with ways you can make a difference in our state. Please continue reading these eNews updates and then pass them on to friends or family who you know is concerned about laws that affect the future of our families. For these updates, please visit our lobby activity website at www.amfaction.org

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Last week, 39 Republicans from the House and Senate jumped into the fray by calling for a citywide referendum. In a brief filed on behalf of Stand4MarriageDC, these leaders tried to remind the city that Congress still has the ultimate say on laws passed in the District. "As members of the District's ultimate legislative body, [the members of Congress who filed the brief] are concerned about the extent of the District's delegated legislative authority, the preservation of Congress's constitutional authority, and the interpretation of home rule." In addition, if this law is allowed to go through, it make an absolute challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Congress can uphold the law and not allow this to pass during its 30 day legislative review process.

As of Tuesday, the clock is ticking on Congress's official response. According to House rules, members have 30 legislative days to act. If they don't block the same-sex "marriage" bill by February, it will automatically become law--and, as Mayor Adrian Fenty said, "set the tone for other jurisdictions to follow..." Bishop Harry Jackson and Rev. Derek McCoy are doing everything they can to keep that from happening. Earlier this week, they called in reinforcements and hosted a 24-hour National Marriage Summit with Pastors and leaders form all over the national and several from our state of Maryland. Many joined the host in a major strategy session on how win on marriage in this fight and others. Tuesday, the event capped off with a Capitol press conference and meetings in the Democratic leadership's offices.

The Association of Maryland Families have been honored to be apart of this effort with Derek McCoy serving on the executive committee of the Stand4MarriageDC coalition. It is important to realize that this issue must be fought in our own backyard to allow the citizens of DC to vote on this critical issue. DC is only 68 square miles, however it is critically important in the battle for marriage. Please take a moment to contact your elected official in the House of Representatives and the Senate and tell them you do not want to see this bill allowed to go thorough Congress. Please stop the bill now!

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At midnight last night the 2009 General Assembly mercifully came to an end. It is sad to watch the party line voting that passes for voter representation as many bills are voted on, not because of their merit, logic, cost or future usefulness, but because of which party presents them.

We will be summarizing some of the major bills important to families in the next day or so. For now please check our website for an updated BILL STATUS CHART.

We should be thankful to the Republican minority, most of whom gave excellent, thoughtful and timely testimony during the Session and especially yesterday in the closing hours of debate.

Of course there are several Democrats that are conservative and that vote across party lines on specific bills, but too often the party line is followed to the detriment of the citizens of Maryland.

One promising note was that several of our City On The Hill alumni served this year as interns to Senators and Delegates. Last night Jeff Reid, Steven Gaines, Heather Boyer (Rob Warlick�s fianc�) and of course, Rob, my assistant. Now that the Session has ended we will be opening registrations for this year�s City On The Hill program. Check our website for more information and an application. www.mdfamilies.org/city/

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When the General Assembly begins in January the Family Protection Lobby, the lobby arm of the Association of Maryland Families, will be working to keep you informed of the proposed bills, the status of the bills throughout the session including the hearing dates and an explanation of the issues.

Think of Legislation that you would like to see introduced. We can help you connect with your Legislator about it.

Plan to attend Hearings on key issues. Most hearings take place Tuesday�Thursday starting at 1:00 PM

Plan to write letters to the editor of your local newspaper as the issues become clear.

Check our website for information on �how to Write a Legislator� www.mdfamilies.org

Plan to join us for our annual Legislator Appreciation Day (known as �Cookie Day�). More info will follow.