An open letter to all Maryland voters:
Greetings, neighbors. On Nov. 6, all Maryland voters will be asked to vote “For” or “Against” marriage equality.
This is very important to us, as we hope to be united in a civil marriage ceremony in June 2013. Folks on both sides of this issue have been very vocal in their opinions , as it should be in the Free State of Maryland.
Ballot Question 6 is as follows:
Referendum Petition
(Ch. 2 of the 2012 Legislative Session)
Civil Marriage Protection Act
“Establishes that Maryland’s civil marriage laws allow gay and lesbian couples to obtain a civil marriage license, provided they are not otherwise prohibited from marrying; protects clergy from having to perform any particular marriage ceremony in violation of their religious beliefs; affirms that each religious faith has exclusive control over its own theological doctrine regarding who may marry within that faith; and provides that religious organizations and certain related entities are not required to provide goods, services, or benefits to an individual related to the celebration or promotion of marriage in violation of their religious beliefs.”
For the Referred Law
Against the Referred Law
So to us, its a “no brainer” as you can clearly see that not one religion is going to have to perform a civil marriage ceremony that is against their own beliefs and teachings.
These churches will still have complete control over who they “choose” to marry in their church, nor will they have to offer any goods or services for these civil marriage ceremonies.
You will still have your “traditional marriages” that will continue to be performed daily in your churches. Nothing in this law will change that.
All this law provides is the right for adult same sex couples to be legally married. Our marriage to each other, (we have been together for almost 25y ears) will have no effect whatsoever on your marriage. It’s that simple.
Please do what is right and vote for the Civil Marriage Protection Act. Someday you may have to answer to your child or grandchild as to why you denied them the right to marry the person they love.
May God Bless Our Troops and The United States of America.
Your neighbors,
Donald E. “Donnie” Rice
William “Dale” Weir Jr.
Mount Savage
Opinion
Act would have no effect on any traditional marriages
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