A Call for Unity on Same-Sex Unions

African Americans in Maryland are deeply divided over same-sex marriage, an issue that pushes many to weigh their commitment to civil rights against powerful religious convictions.

Black lawmakers are likely to confront the dilemma in the General Assembly when the legislature convenes for its 90-day session in January and is expected to take up a bill to legalize same-sex marriage. Advocates say they'll turn to the legislature after their defeat in Maryland's highest court, which ruled that gays and lesbians do not constitute a protected class and urged lawmakers to debate the issue instead.

Take, for example, two Prince George's County Democrats, Sen. Gwendolyn T. Britt and Del. Dereck E. Davis. Davis has said he will be guided by religious leaders who believe marriage is between a man and a woman. Britt, who plans to sponsor the same-sex marriage bill, echoes the messages of the civil rights era that the Constitution protects everyone.

A group of black leaders, most of them heterosexual, last week announced the formation of the Maryland Black Family Alliance. The organizers pledge to push for legalizing gay unions with a campaign around the state and in Annapolis -- and change the minds of black elected officials who reject a connection between gay rights and civil rights.

"This is civil marriage, it's not just gay marriage," said Elbridge James, the group's leader and a former political action chairman for the Maryland branch of the NAACP. "We're asking legislators to put their hand on the Bible to protect the Constitution."

The activist from Rockville, who is 60, said many blacks have been traditionally so focused on other problems facing their community, including crime and high school dropout rates, that same-sex marriage has gotten little traction. "But plenty of our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters have been harassed," he said.

-- Lisa Rein

Governor Warms to His Lawyer

As the relationship between Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) and Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) continues to fray, there appears to be a growing bond between O'Malley and Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler (D).

The latest evidence of that: O'Malley is billed as the featured speaker at Gansler's annual fundraiser next week, being held at a private residence in Chevy Chase.

Gansler said that he felt honored that O'Malley agreed to participate, wryly referring to the governor as "my client." Gansler's office provides legal representation to all state agencies.