More Same-Sex
Marriage Controversy In Annapolis
By Pat Warren,
WJZ.com from the Web, February 24, 2006
Annapolis, MD Feb..23 -- The
legislative battle over same-sex marriage in Maryland continued to heat up
Thursday as a state lawmaker called to impeach a judge who recently ruled the
state's marriage law is unconstitutional because it discriminates against gays
and lesbians.
On Jan. 20, Judge M. Brooke Murdock struck down the 33-year-old Maryland law
against same-sex marriage, rejecting a state argument that the government had a
legitimate interest in protecting the traditional family unit of heterosexual
parents.
"Although tradition and societal values are important, they cannot be given so
much weight that they alone will justify a discriminatory" law, she wrote.
On Thursday, several state legislators' sentiments about same-sex marriage were
exposed as the debate stirred more controversy at another General Assembly
session in Annapolis. This year, Del. Don Dwyer introduced a bill that
legally declares marriage as a union between merely a man and woman.
"Clearly the judge has overstepped the boundary of her authority," Dwyer
exclaimed after Murdock's ruling.
Many political pundits across the state oppose Dwyer's decision.
"I cannot find anything that this judge has violated by way of her conduct, her
opinion, her decision," says Mark Scurti of The Bar Association of Baltimore.
Governor Ehrlich tells Warren he believes Dwyer's impeachment resolution is not
the right answer.
"Looking at impeachment when a particular judge does something contrary to your
philosophical views is a very dangerous pursuit," Gov. Ehrlich says.
Del. Dwyer plans to introduce his resolution to the House floor next week.
A spokesperson for Judge Murdock tells Eyewitness News Murdock has received
notice of the charges and has no further comment.
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