Rep. Edwards supports marriage bill

U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards. (photo by Matthew Stoller)

U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-4th District) voiced her support for same-sex marriage at a Jan. 16 rally hosted by the state’s largest labor unions. She stressed the need for religious exemptions, which are part of the bill introduced by Gov. Martin O’Malley this week. Her district includes portions of Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

“I was married for a little while. I chose to be married. Then I chose not to be. But in the state of Maryland I could. But that should be the case for all Marylanders,” Edwards explained. “I know that this is really tough. I go to church too, y’all… And I want to say to all of our faith leaders out there that I understand that probably in my Baptist church in Maryland it is not likely that there will be performed — in my church — gay marriages.”

Sultan Shakir, campaign manager for the Marylanders for Marriage Equality coalition, responded, “The coalition is grateful to Rep. Edwards for her vocal support before a fired-up union crowd last night.”