Maryland lawmakers take up gay marriage bill

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/news/maryland-lawmakers-take-up-gay-marriage-bill/

Today marks the beginning of two days of hearings on a bill that would allow gay couples to marry in Maryland.


Outside the Capitol, hundreds of supporters demonstrated, calling on lawmakers to approve the measure.
Called the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, the bill would allow civil marriages for gay couples while permitting churches opposed to same-sex marriage to refuse to perform weddings.

The bill is sponsored by openly gay Sen. Richard Madaleno Jr.. Madaleno and his partner have adopted two children.