The battle to keep traditional marriage from being redefined in Maryland is still on! The marriage bill, which will allow same sex marriage in Maryland, was passed in the Maryland Senate on a preliminary vote. The final vote will happen tonight. This is despite the facts that a poll released just last week found that by a 54-37 margin, Maryland voters believe that marriage should only be between a man and a woman. And in over 30 states where there has been a vote on same-sex marriage, the people have consistently rejected same-sex marriage. Your senator can be called at 301-970-5000.
Now, the battle moves to the Maryland House and more than ever, your help is needed!
1. The House is holding a hearing on Marriage Bills TOMORROW, Friday February 25, 2011 at 1PM in the House Judiciary Committee Room Lowe House Office Building, 6 Bladen Street, Annapolis.
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The bills to be heard are
• Delegate Dwyer's HB 963 for a constitutional amendment to protect marriage between a man and a woman and
• The opposing bills HB 55 & HB 175 which would remove the words "a man and a woman" from the definition of marriage.
• Speakers on both sides of the issue will be there and the opposition is busing people in to Annapolis. We need people who are in favor of traditional marriage to come show their support!
• The hearings can be listened to by webcast.
2. Two press conferences one at 11AM and the second at 12:30AM for each of the Marriage Bills which will be heard are also scheduled for tomorrow (Friday) and your presence there is crucial too! One is being held by Maryland for Marriage Coalition opposing HB 55 &135, and the other is being held by Del. Dwyer. You are invited to attend both events.
3. Contact your legislators and the members of the House Judiciary Committee and let them know that you oppose legislation redefining marriage, and wish to uphold traditional marriage. Click here for a link to the Judiciary Committee's website.
4. Testify for the Constitutional Marriage Amendment as well as against the same sex marriage bills by calling Louisa Baucom, Legislative Aide to Del. Don Dwyer Jr. District 31 at 1 410-841-3047 NOW. If you are providing written testimony, you will need to hand in 35 copies of your testimony before noon.
• Click here to email your legislators.
• Click here to contact the Senate Judicial Committee.
• Click here to contact the House Judiciary Committee.
• Call individual legislators-Phone 301 970 5000
Spread the word! Forward this notice to friends!
Testify for the Constitutional Marriage Amendment as well as against the same sex marriage bills by calling Louisa Baucom, Legislative Aide to Del. Don Dwyer Jr District 31 at 1 410-841-3047 NOW. If you are providing written testimony- you will need to hand in 35 copies of your testimony before noon. Instructions below courtesy of Del Dwyer Jr's office
Please contact Louisa Baucom as soon as possible so that she can help with testimony and sign in. If you have never testified in Committee before, below are FAQs to help familiarize you to the process. Please feel free to call if you have any further questions or need further clarification.
If you are providing written testimony- you will need to bring 35 copies of your testimony. She will not have the manpower to make the copies here.
This is a crucial part of the legislative process, having a strong showing in support of, or in opposition to any bill can and does make a difference.
Appearing in Annapolis before the committee sends a much stronger message than emails, please bring your friends and family. Also please note, the push is on in the gay community to pass same sex marriage this year- they will be here in force.
Testifying in Annapolis FAQ
Q: How much time will I get to speak?
A: 3 minutes, more if members of the Committee wish to ask questions or ask for further testimony or explanation.
Q : How much notice will I get of the hearing date?
A : Unfortunately, it could be weeks or days in advance, or it could be a short as a day.
Q: How much time should I plan on being in Annapolis?
A: Again, this depends on variables such as; number of bills being heard that day, order of bills being heard, and number of people testifying on each bill. The rule of thumb is to plan on spending the day if you can or spending the amount of time you are able.
Q: Can I testify as an individual citizen?
A: yes
Q: Where do I park, and driving directions
A: park in any of the garages in Annapolis or at the Navy Stadium and ride the shuttle in. You can email don.dwyer@house.state.md.us or call our office at 410-841-3047 to request driving directions and parking information be sent to you via email or regular mail.
Q: Where do I go to testify?
A: Committees are located in the Lowe House Office Building at 6 Bladen Street. Contact me to confirm the committee (Marriage Bill will be in Judiciary, Personhood will be in Health and Government Operations)
Maryland for Marriage Coalition Press Conference
Friday, February 24, 2011
11 a.m. (people should gather at 10:30 a.m.)
Lawyers' Mall, near the State Capitol Bldg.
Annapolis
(in case of inclement weather, go to House of Delegates Bldg., Rm. 150, Balt. City Delegation Caucus Room)
Delgate Dwyer's Press Conference
Friday, February 25, 2011
12:30 p.m.
Main lobby of Lowe House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis
The best parking for all events is at the Navy Stadium, which has a shuttle to the Capitol. You can also try off street or parking garages in the area.
CHECK OUT OUR NEW MARYLAND FOR MARRIAGE WEBSITE.
MARYLAND4MARRIAGE.COM
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