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Hello,
I am so glad that many of you are taking the time to educate yourself on the referendum questions.
Writing about Question #6 - Same Sex Marriage, I will ask that before making your decision to vote for same-sex marriage in Maryland, at least read my opposing arguments.
Several amendments were offered in the 2011 and 2012 sessions that would have made the bill more palatable to the opposition. All were rejected.
The rejected amendments included:
- Protections for parents who wish to opt out their children from same-sex education (I offered this myself)
- Protections for wedding vendors who object
- Protections for young boys (under 18) who are legal to marry in Maryland with permission.
- Protections for churches, parochial schools, charities, shelters, and other religious community organizations that receive state money
The amendments were voted down, leaving many of our citizens of faith in vulnerable positions with regards to future lawsuits and restrictions waged against them.
Finally, everyone has a moral argument to wage regarding same-sex marriage. When viewing legislation I try to pull my moral opinions out and look at the pros and cons of legislation. I am personally opposed to same-sex marriage for religious purposes, but I can look objectively at the bill and see that it is just a bad law.
Again, thank you again for taking the time to engage yourself in Election 2012. Please share this information with your friends and family.
Sincerely,
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Question 6
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.
Why I voted against this law.
Legalizing same-sex marriage in our state will strip the roles of men and women from marriage, making it a "genderless" institution. We will be redefining traditional marriage - the union of a man and a woman.
Same-sex couples want to be provided with the same benefits as traditionally married couples.
- Presently, significant benefits are granted to domestic partners, including same-sex partners. They receive health care facility visitation, health care decision-making, ability to adopt children, state employee health benefits, exemption from state inheritance taxes, and many more.
- It is not necessary to redefine marriage in order to provide benefits to same-sex couples.
Religious freedom is protected by the language in the law.
- False!
- There is language in the actual legislation that does not appear on the ballot. Religious organizations that accept any sort of state or federal funds are excluded from any religious liberty protections, as well as individuals or businesses.
- Churches, religiously affiliated institutions, private businesses (wedding caterers, photographers, florists, etc.) and individuals who, for moral reasons, will not be a part of a same-sex marriage ceremony, face litigation.
- There have been incidences of people being fired from their jobs who oppose re-defining marriage.
Angela McCaskill Suspended From Job
- Nonprofit groups are faced with abandoning historic mission principles to maintain government contracts.
DC Catholic Charities Forced to Close Adoption Program
Catholics Forced to End DC Foster-Care Program
- Marriage education in schools will include same-sex marriage. The courts have ruled that parents have no right to prior notice or opting out their children.
Culture War Hits Kindergarten
- Wedding professionals have been fined for refusing to participate in same-sex marriage ceremonies.
Wildflower Inn Sued Over Refusal to Host Gay Wedding
There should be equality among all people, so homosexuals should have the right to marry.
- Discrimination is understood as the unjust denial of basic human rights to a certain person or group.
- Those supporting same-sex marriage compare the discrimination of homosexuals to the civil rights movement. In truth, homosexuals have the freedom to live as they choose.
What the law says to children:
- Redefining marriage shifts the focus of marriage laws away from the interests of children, and onto the desires of adults.
- Men and women are exactly the same in rearing children.
Writings
- "What makes it hard for a girl to grow up with a gay father is that she never gets to see him loving, honoring, or protecting the women in his life." (From "Out From Under: The Impact of Homosexual Parenting)
- Women with gay or bisexual fathers are significantly less comfortable with closeness and intimacy, less able to trust and depend on others, and experience more anxiety in relationships than women with heterosexual fathers. (Arch Psychiatric Nursing 2009)
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Follow-up Links:
Kathy's Website
Delegate Kathy Afzali
Susan Bittle, Chief of Staff
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Delegate Kathy Afzali / PO Box 412 / Braddock Heights, Maryland 21714 / 301-524-7417
Authority Friends of Kathy Afzali, John T. Cornelius, Treasurer |
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