Ehrlich Vetoes Gay Rights Bill (Maryland)

The Washington Post ^ | 5/20/05 | John Wagner

[LdSentinal]

Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. has decided to veto emotionally charged legislation that would grant unmarried couples, including gay partners, certain rights if they register with the state.

Ehrlich (R) will detail his reasoning in a veto message to be released later this afternoon, spokesman Henry Fawell said.

The action will end weeks of intense deliberations within the governor's office on a politically sensitive issue that was championed during the past legislative session by gay-rights activists.

"Phone calls are pouring into our office from people across the state who are shocked, hurt and dismayed at how such a moderate piece of legislation conferring basic human rights could be rejected by a supposedly moderate governor," said Dan Furmansky, executive director of Equality Maryland, a gay-rights group that lobbied for the legislation, known as the Medical Decision Making Act of 2005.

Ehrlich won praise from a leading Republican lawmaker for making a "principled decision."

[Calpernia]

BUMP! to Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.!!!

[KC_Conspirator]

Erlich is the bomb.

[sure_fine]

he's on a GOOD roll, walmart AND this

[conserv13]

I think Ehrlich vetoed it because there were problems in the language of the bill. He is moderate and has nothing against gay people.

This was a moderate bill about medical decisions.

[Calpernia]

If he flops, I'll take my bump back.

I'm lending positive reinforcement for pointing in the right direction :)

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

basic human rights?

Where was that on the Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

[Wally_Kalbacken]

shocked, hurt and dismayed...

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

?

[MJY1288]

Kudos to my Governor

[ConsentofGoverned]

Dang wish we had more like him or Steele in the Senate..veto of wall mart bill now this guess the Balt Sun will fry him with op eds this weekend..Way to go GOV. there is hope for the peoples republic of MD after all.