Protesters call for marriage amendment

ANNAPOLIS — Lawmakers and clergy held a rally outside the state Capitol yesterday to support an amendment to the state constitution that would define marriage as being only between a man and a woman.

About 500 people stood in frigid temperatures, holding signs, cheering speeches by pastors and politicians, and praying in unison.

“We are in a moral war,” said the Rev. Harry Jackson, pastor of Hope Christian Church in College Park. “The bombs are not aimed at our military outposts. They are aimed at our families.”

The crowd was predominantly Christian and an even mix of blacks and whites. It responded collectively to Mr. Jackson’s sermon, which urged every church to oppose same-sex “marriage” and reject the comparison between the homosexual movement and “the black struggle for civil rights.”

“Civil rights are not the same as sacred rights,” he said.

Delegate Don Dwyer Jr., Anne Arundel Republican, urged voters to hold their elected officials accountable for how they vote on the issue.

Mr. Dwyer, who has led the legislative effort against homosexual “marriage,” did not exempt churches from criticism. He “condemned” their past response to homosexuals.

“The church has failed miserably to embrace the homosexual and to love him as a sinner,” he said. Homosexuals “are no different than us.”

Mr. Dwyer said churches “must open their doors” to homosexuals “so they can see God’s saving grace.”

Tonya Gross, 38, came with three busloads of fellow members from Rock City Church in Baltimore.

“It’s not hard to take a stand on this issue,” she said, holding a sign that stated: “Maryland opposes same-sex marriage.”

“We had to take a stand,” she said. “It’s moral decay. Two men cannot reproduce. It’s not what God intended it to be.”

John Leck, 44, of Frederick, Md., said marriage has been between a man and a woman “for centuries.”

“Gay people have a choice to be gay,” he said. “They are not born that way. I have no problem with gays living together. Marriage is different.”

The proposed constitutional amendment is expected to be introduced in the House’s Judiciary Committee.

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