Concerned that they won't be able to muster the votes for a comprehensive bill on same-sex unions this year, state lawmakers are considering a tactical shift toward legislation that would grant a number of rights to gay and lesbian couples but stop short of full-fledged marriage or civil unions.
Such a bill would create a legal relationship for gay and lesbian couples that confers as many as possible of the several hundred rights granted to married couples under state law.
"We're looking at a smaller basket of rights and benefits," said Sen. Jamie Raskin, a Montgomery County Democrat. "We champions of gay and lesbian couples prefer civil marriage. We'll start with all those rights and benefits and work our way down."
The same-sex marriage debate has divided the State House, hampering efforts to build a coalition behind one legislative approach. Many lawmakers say they are uncomfortable with equating same-sex relationships with marriage but that they could back a piecemeal approach to grant some protections to those couples.
A gamut of measures has been introduced this year, including attempts at legalizing gay marriage; banning same-sex marriage in the state Constitution; abolishing marriage and replacing the institution with domestic partnerships for straight and gay couples; and creating civil unions.
The alternative proposal is being drafted largely as a compromise to win over Sen. C. Anthony Muse, advocates said. The evangelical minister holds a key position on the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and could be the deciding vote to move a bill out of committee.
Muse, a Prince George's County Democrat, opposes same-sex marriage but had considered supporting civil unions. He said yesterday that while civil unions are "off the table," he's concerned about providing equal rights. He said a more narrowly tailored bill could have the support in the full Senate to pass.
A broader struggle
Muse has been lobbied by a number of lawmakers. He also has been meeting with members of the clergy across denominations to discuss the issue, though he emphasized that grappling with same-sex unions is not confined to religious people.
"This is not just a church issue; people outside of the church struggle with it," he said.
The Rev. John Crestwell of the Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church said he has sought a meeting with Muse, whose Ark of Safety Christian Church is located a few miles from his own parish. Crestwell supports same-sex marriage but sees civil unions as a starting point.
