State Lawmakers Prepare For Gay Marriage Debate This Week

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- As state lawmakers gear up for a contentious debate this week over a same-sex marriage bill, people for and against it are stepping up their efforts to sway lawmakers.

Gigi Barnett has more.

With the approval of a Senate committee this week, the stage is set for a heated battle over the state's same-sex marriage bill.  If state lawmakers pass it, Maryland would be the sixth state to allow gay marriage.

"This is equality.  Would you want anyone telling you who you can marry and love?" said one person.

Marriage is what Sue and Richard Hillis want for their 26-year-old gay son.  They decided to attend a weekend conference for Catholics who support the gay marriage efforts, led by Delegate Heather Mizeur, who's also an openly gay Catholic.

An independent Catholic group called New Ways Ministry organized the seminar.  It says every Catholic should be allowed to pick a side, with or without the church's consent.

"This is how I was made---in God's image.  And that it was the church telling me no, it wasn't God and that the primacy of my own conscience mattered most," Mizeur said.

But experts say the gay marriage battle won't be easily won.  The debate will begin on Tuesday and those against same-sex marriage are rallying their supporters, too.

"This will, like no-fault divorce, like the destruction of human life in the womb, will hurt our culture," said one.

"I would hate to see marriage redefined, to mean between any two individuals," said another.

New Ways Ministry says more Maryland Catholics are in favor of gay marriage according to a 2009 poll.  The group says about 49 percent of Maryland Catholics want to see the same-sex marriage bill pass.

Governor Martin O'Malley says he will sign the bill if it reaches his desk.  That will make Maryland the sixth state to recognize gay marriage.