Friday, November 9, 2012
Cake shops, wedding venues and an online wedding website are some of the Chevy Chase businesses that may benefit from the marriage-equality provision voters approved.
With voter approval of Question 6, Maryland's same-sex marriage law, some financial analysts say that Maryland’s economy could see as much as a $90 million boost, according to a recent Gazette story. Mark Yost, president of the Maryland Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, quoted research from UCLA's Williams Institute that there could be $3.6 million in sales and lodging tax revenue, and $21 million per year from wedding-related businesses. A reporter for the Baltimore Business Journal spoke with Mary Alice Yetskey, the marketing director of Duff Goldman’s Charm City Cakes, who believes that her business will see a “much busier January” than normal. The story also quotes Mark Scurti, an attorney specializing in LGBT issues at Towson’s …
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Voters waited in long lines at the Friendship Heights Village Center to select their candidate for president and to vote on several referendum questions.
The Friendship Heights Village Center was one of the busier polling locations in Chevy Chase, MD, on Election Day 2012. Even at noon, there was a long line of residents waiting to vote at the community center (4433 South Park Ave.)—the line stretched outside the building and nearly to the street corner. Many voters waited over an hour to cast their ballots. Evangelos Katsaitis, 62, a Greek immigrant and longtime voter, did not support Question 6, which would legalize same-sex marriage, for religious reasons. While he believes that same-sex couples should have some state-supported protections such as civil unions, those protections should have “nothing to do with marriage," he said. Catherine Orchard, 23, voted in support of Question 6. “It…
Monday, November 5, 2012
The politics of religion in Maryland.
Capital News Service ANNAPOLIS - Religious beliefs have played a major role in the debates in Maryland over same-sex marriage, the Dream Act and gaming expansion. Capital News Service surveyed religious organizations, congregations, individual members and religious leaders and asked for their thoughts on Questions 4, 6 and 7. This graphic is not meant to represent entire faiths, only to sample how some people within different faiths report they feel. With reporting by Dana Amihere of Capital News Service.
Friday, November 2, 2012
The women gathered Thursday in Silver Spring to share their ideals on what is fair and equal for families in Maryland.
Montgomery County moms in support of gay marriage have just a few words for voters: vote yes for question six. Also known as the Civil Marriage Protection Act, this bill was signed by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) and is pending voter approval Tuesday, Nov. 6. If majority of residents support the measure, it will go into full effect Jan. 2, 2013.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Less than 20 voters were affected, according to the governor's office.
A small number of Prince George's and Montgomery County voters were sent absentee ballots for the Nov. 6 election that are missing a second page, the governor's office announced Wednesday. The omitted section contains and state ballot questions 4 to 7, which address key issues such as the legalization of gay marriage, a proposed expansion of gambling in Maryland, and the Dream Act. Several county-level referenda were also left out. In a statement, Gov. Martin O'Malley said the number of affected voters was less than 20. "The Board of Elections is working to investigate what caused this issue," O'Malley added. Voters who requested absentee ballots are urged to check them and ensure that a second page is included. Residents with an …
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Question 6 might not be a big deal for you but it's a HUGE deal for our family.
“Mommy what is this… vote for Question 6?” my youngest says to me on our way out of the door to school. “Um, it’s a yard sign. Come on we are running late. Get your book bag.” “But what does it mean? What is Question 6?” he asks with urgency. I pause. It seems like every important conversation happens when we are rushing out the door or driving and I can’t focus. This time I stop in my tracks because I realize in this moment that school can wait; this is an important conversation for our family. It deserves my full attention. “You know how when you take a test, there are a bunch of questions?” He nods, his eyes are on me, and he’s paying full attention. I take a deep breath unsure of how exactly I’m going to explain this, and in a split …
Friday, October 19, 2012
CASA of Maryland’s advocacy for next month's referendum on same-sex marriage has sparked the ire of religious leaders
Polls say one thing, but religious leaders say another on the question of whether Hispanic-Americans in Maryland will support same-sex marriage in next month's landmark referendum. National and statewide polling of Latinos has shown a steady turn in favor of same-sex marriage. The Pew Research Center published a poll last week that shows “rapidly growing support” for gay marriage among Hispanics nationwide, with 52 percent for and 34 percent against. It is the first time that a Pew poll showed a majority of Latinos in favor of same-sex marriage. That support divides along religious lines. An April poll commissioned by the National Council of La Raza found that 79 percent of atheist or agnostic Latinos support same-sex marriage, 67 …
Eric S.
12:01 pm on Wednesday, November 7, 2012
I got in line right before 7 am, and thankfully they had done most of the line wrapping inside the building, because it was cold. Took about half an hour. Lines were dead when I came home around 7 PM. I wish I'd voted after work. more ›