Democrats kill proposed gay 'marriage' ban

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ANNAPOLIS -- Maryland House Democrats yesterday killed a proposed ban on homosexual "marriage," likely preventing any such proposal from getting on the November ballot.

"It doesn't look good for additional action," said Delegate Anthony J. O'Donnell, Southern Maryland Republican and minority whip. "The Democrats want to keep this from the citizenry in an election year."

In a 78-61 vote, the Democratic-controlled House of Delegates rejected a bill for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union of a man and a woman.

Nineteen Democrats and 42 Republicans voted for the proposed amendment. One Republican -- Delegate Jean Cryor of Montgomery County -- sided with 77 Democrats to kill the bill.

State Sen. Brian E. Frosh, Montgomery County Democrat, said the bill's House defeat sounded the death knell for similar legislation in the Senate.

"When it is dead on the other side, we don't generally take it up," said Mr. Frosh, chairman of the Judicial Proceedings Committee, which would handle the legislation.

House Republicans are drafting at least two bills for a constitutional amendment to codify traditional marriage, but Mr. O'Donnell had no expectations they would succeed.

The marriage debate has dominated the General Assembly since a Baltimore Circuit Court judge ruled last month that the state's 33-year-old ban on same-sex "marriage" is unconstitutional. The judge stayed the ruling until appellate review and approval.

A constitutional amendment would void the judge's ruling, but opponents say it would discriminate against homosexuals by denying them the "civil right of marriage."

Democrats are reluctant to put the amendment on the ballot because it would energize conservatives in an election year in which Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., a Republican, is seeking re-election and Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele, also a Republican, is running for U.S. Senate.