Local
Maryland backers of gay marriage bill release poll showing 52% support
Polling high, but numbers can fluctuate once both campaigns begin advertising blitz


Maryland voters may be ready to back same-sex nuptials when they go to the ballot box this fall. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
A poll released Thursday shows that 52 percent of a sample of registered voters in Maryland would “definitely” or “probably” vote in favor of the state’s same-sex marriage bill in a referendum expected to be held in November.
The poll, commissioned by the same-sex marriage advocacy coalition Marylanders for Marriage Equality, shows that 44 percent of the voters polled would “definitely” or “probably” vote against the bill in a referendum.
Four percent of those sampled said they were unsure of how they would vote. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 4 percent.
The poll of 600 Maryland voters was conducted March 5-7 by the national political polling firm Public Policy Polling. Marylanders for Marriage Equality commissioned the firm to do the poll.
Voters participating in the poll were asked to respond to this question:
“The state legislature recently approved a law allowing gay and lesbian couples to legally marry in Maryland, and there is likely to be a statewide referendum in the November election on whether to keep the law. If the election were held today, do you think you would vote for or vote against the recently-approved law allowing gay and lesbian couples to legally marry?
The findings show that 41 percent said they would “definitely vote for the law;” 11 percent said they would “probably vote for it;” 39 percent said they would “definitely” vote against it; 5 percent said they would “probably” vote against it; and 4 percent said they weren’t sure.
“This is good news for thousands of families and their children all over the state,” said marriage bill supporter Penny Nicholas in a statement released by the Campaign for Marriage Equality.
Nicholas is identified by the campaign as a straight African American mother who testified in favor of the bill last month before the Maryland legislature on behalf of her lesbian daughter.
“A majority of voters realize that committed, loving gay and lesbian couples want the best for their children—which means making sure their kids are treated equally under the law,” Nicholas said in the statement.
The National Organization for Marriage, which is expected to work with at least two Maryland groups in the referendum campaign to defeat the bill, has predicted voters in the state would overwhelming vote against the legalizing same-sex marriage.
Both sides have begun raising money for what political observers expect to be an acrimonious campaign leading up to the November election.

The Washington Blade’s second day of Pride on the Pier at The Wharf DC ended with a fireworks show on Saturday, June 7. The fireworks show was presented by the Leonard-Litz LGBTQ Foundation.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)

















State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Chesterfield) will face John Reid in the race to become Virginia’s next lieutenant governor.
Hashmi won the Democratic primary with 27.49 percent of the vote. She defeated former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, state Sen. Aaron Rouse (D-Virginia Beach), Babur Lateef, Victor Salgado and Alexander Bastani.
“Tonight, Virginians made history,” said Hashmi in a statement. “We didn’t just win a primary, we sent a clear message that we won’t be bullied, broken, or dragged backward by the chaos in Washington.”
Reid, a gay conservative talk show host, in April won the Republican nomination to succeed Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who is running to succeed Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
The incumbent governor days after Reid secured the nomination called for him to withdraw his candidacy amid reports that a social media account with his username included “pornographic content.” Reid, who would become the first openly gay person elected to statewide office in Virginia if he wins in November, has strongly denied the reports.
Former state Del. Jay Jones defeated Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor in Democratic attorney general primary. Jones will face Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares in November.
Youngkin cannot run for a second, consecutive term.
Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger will face off against Earle-Sears in November. The winner will make history as the first woman elected governor in the state’s history.
Baltimore
More than 15K people attend Baltimore Trans Pride
Baltimore Safe Haven organized annual event

More than 15,000 people attended Baltimore Safe Haven’s annual Trans Pride on Saturday.
“Last year we had maybe 2,500, and the year before that, we had 5,000,” Renee Lau, administrative assistant for special projects coordinator for Baltimore Safe Haven, said. “In today’s political climate, it’s absolutely amazing.”
Lau said allies and other groups “went into hiding” for about a month or two after President Donald Trump’s inauguration, but then all at once, different organizations started to reach out.
“The community has really come together to support us,” Lau said. “It was a fun, exciting day.”
Baltimore Safe Haven Executive Director Iya Dammons in a press release said the “historic turnout” showed the transgender community’s strength, as well as their unity to fight for justice and equality for all LGBTQ people.
At the event, attendees were seen waving flags and shouting “Trans Lives Matter,” showing their support for the community.
On Friday, before Trans Pride, Baltimore Safe Haven opened their new building to the public, gathering notable attendees like the Baltimore City Council President Zeke Cohan, Council Member Antonio Glover, and representatives from the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation.
“(It) was historic in itself because … we’re the only direct service providers for people in the LGBT community,” Lau said.
Providing housing for 18- to 24-year-olds, Lau said the new building also serves as a community hub and has office spaces for workers.
With only a few hiccups of arguments between attendees and fixing street blockades during Trans Pride, Lau said the event showed what the community can do.
“It was amazing that so many people came out and had that much fun. We were all giddy by Sunday morning,” Lau said. “(It gave) Safe Haven exposure and continuity. We are not just an LGBT organization, we are an organization that supports the entire community.”
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