Kittleman Will Support Same-Sex Marriage Bill

Sen. Allan Kittleman, R-9, announced today that he plans to support a bill proposing same-sex marriages in Maryland.

Kittleman said in a statement that he made the decision after it was “made evident” that he did not have sufficient support for legislation that would create civil unions for all couples in the state.

because of a lack of support from his party for that proposal.

“… My primary goal has always been to ensure that same sex couples have the same rights and responsibilities as married couples currently have in Maryland,” he wrote. “I see this issue as a civil rights issue.”

He noted that his father, former state senator Robert Kittleman, fought racial discrimination in the 1950s and 1960s. "Watching him fight for civil rights instilled in me the belief that everyone, regardless of race, sex, national origin or sexual orientation is entitled to equal rights."

In January, Kittleman proposed legislation that would give the option for all couples to have access to civil unions. In working out that legislation, Kittleman said, he had three main goals: to ensure same sex couples had the same rights and responsibilities as married couples; to remove government’s intervention in marriage; and to develop a consensus on an issue “that has been very divisive for many years.”

He added, “While my faith may teach that marriage is between a man and a woman, our government is not a theocracy. As the state senator from District 9, I represent everyone in my district, regardless of faith.”

A hearing on SB 116 (.PDF) is scheduled for next week. To read the entirety of Kittleman’s statement, click the document to the right.