NEWS RELEASE
Friday, March 26, 2004                       

EQUALITY MARYLAND
Contact: Dan Furmansky, Executive Director
Phone:    Office 410-685-6567
Cell    301-461-4900
Email:    dan@equalitymaryland.org

MARYLAND DELEGATES GIVE NOD OF APPROVAL TO MEDICAL DECISION MAKING ACT

House Committee Sends Bill that would Protect Same-Sex Couples to Floor Vote

BALTIMORE –– Equality Maryland, Maryland’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, applauded legislators on the House Health & Government Operations Committee who voted today in favor of House Bill 1284, the Medical Decision Making Act. The legislation would allow same-sex couples and opposite-sex senior couples to make critical healthcare decisions for their loved ones in hospitals. Delegate John A. Hurson (D-Montgomery County), Chair of the Health and Government Operations Committee, sponsored HB 1284. The bill passed 16-6, with three Republicans joining Democrats in favor.

“We are happy to see our state moving in the right direction on this issue, but we are especially heartened to see this legislation pass with bi-partisan support," said executive director Dan Furmansky. “Today, lawmakers have joined together to make the statement that all Maryland families deserve dignity and respect.”

Voters in the sizeable gay community of District 20 were surprised to hear that Democrat Delegate Gareth E. Murray did not support the Medical Decision Making Act. Del. Murray, an Associate Pastor at People's Community Baptist Church in Silver Spring, invoked theological considerations of the legislation and ultimately cast a ‘no’ vote

"I know that all fair-minded residents of District 20 are deeply disappointed that our delegate voted against the Medical Decision Making Act of 2004 in committee today,” said Bruce R. Williams, Councilmember and Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Takoma Park. “I hope that Del. Murray realizes that the huge number of his LGBT constituents in Takoma Park and Silver Spring will be upset and puzzled by his vote. I hope that we can convince him that our concerns need his attention."

HB 1284 will be brought before the entire House of Delegates in coming days. "We're hopeful that the fair-minded members of the General Assembly will put this bill on the governor's desk very soon," said Fumansky.

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Equality Maryland is Maryland's largest civil rights organization, focused on making life better for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens of Maryland.   Equality Maryland works to secure and protect the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Marylanders by promoting legislative initiatives on the state, county and municipal levels and educating the public about the issues faced by our diverse community.

Equality Maryland can be found online at www.equalitymaryland.org