Maryland Democrat Senator Brochin Says He Found Testimony By Opponents Of Same Sex Marriage Bill So “Troubling” He Now Is Prepared To Support Proposed Religious Freedom And Civil Marriage Protection Act

The Baltimore Sun reports that Senator James Brochin (Democrat-Baltimore County) found the testimony delivered Tuesday by opponents of same sex marriage so “troubling” that Wednesday Brochin, who previously opposed the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, indicated he was prepared to support the bill. “The demonization of gay families really bothered me,” he said. “Are these families going to continue to be treated by the law as second class citizens?” Brochin’s shift in stance is potentially another critical addition to the twenty senators who have said they support the measure; 24 votes are needed for passage. Brochin said he would prefer to see Maryland approve civil unions and plans to offer the alternative as an amendment in committee, but concedes he does not have the votes. As previously posted, Tuesday, senators on the Judicial Proceedings Committee heard over seven hours of testimony from opponents and proponents of same sex marriage. It is thought that this year, unlike years in the past, there is enough support to bring the issue to the Senate floor, a belief that the House of Delegates can find support for the same sex marriage measure, and Governor Martin O’Malley has stated he will sign a bill if one passes.