PG Pastor: Reinstate Gallaudet official who signed petition

Rev. Lee P. Washington, the pastor at Reid Temple in Prince George's County, has added his voice to the chorus of officials asking that a Gallaudet officer who signed the anti-same-sex marriage petition be reinstated.

Angela McCaskill, a 23-year employee at Gallaudet and a graduate from the university, was suspended without pay after the administration learned she had signed a petition to put Maryland's same-sex marriage law on the ballot. She is the diversity officer for Gallaudet.

"As her church family we stand firmly by her side, and welcome all persons of good faith regardless of their ideological views to denounce these actions of cowardice and bullying," Washington said in a statement.

The church has been active in opposing same-sex marriage and opposing gambling expansion this year, according to the statement.

Supporters of same-sex marriage, including Gov. Martin O'Malley, Del. Maggie McIntosh and Marylanders for Marriage Equality have also called on the university to put McCaskill back to work.