Baltimore Moms for Question 6

November 2, 2012

As Election Day swiftly approaches, we feel compelled to speak out to Marylanders –and in particular, moms and dads across the state – about the importance of voting FOR Question 6.

As mothers, our highest priorities are ensuring our children’s well being and raising them to be good people with strong values.  In order to achieve both of these goals, we need for the society that our kids grow up in to be a fair and just one – one that treats all people equally and that models the values we are teaching our kids at home.

Question 6 does exactly this. The Civil Marriage Protection Act allows committed gay and lesbian couples to get a civil marriage license from a courthouse, and it protects religious freedom.  It is about fairness, equality, and the Golden Rule – treating others as we would want to be treated.

“I come from a family of civil rights activists, and have talked to my kids about the importance of fairness since they were very young,” says Rebecca Murphy.  “My kids are 12 and 14, and they get it: allowing gay and lesbian families to marry is a matter of treating all people equally.  As an African-American, and as a mom, I feel that I have succeeded in instilling these values in my children, and on Election Day, I am counting on all Maryland voters to stand together to make sure that our state upholds fairness and equality for everyone.”

“Our family has gay and lesbian friends, neighbors, and family members, who should have the same opportunities as everyone else,” says Stephanie Regenold. “On November 6, I want my kids to know that we live in a state that is fair and equal, and treats our loved ones as they deserve to be treated.”

Maryland could be the first state ever to approve marriage equality by a vote of the people. Let’s show our children that this is a state that values each and every person.

We, the undersigned, are voting for Question 6, as are thousands of other Maryland parents, because it is about fairness and equality, and these are the values we’re teaching our children.

We call on all parents – whether you are voting early or voting on November 6 – to join the majority of Marylanders who want our children to be raised in a state that values fairness and equality:  Go to the polls and vote FOR Question 6.

Rebecca Murphy, Community Activist

Stephanie Strauss Regenold, Physician

Kimberly Moffitt, Professor of American Studies

Stacey Mink, Communications Consultant

Tanika Davis, Communications Professional

Mari Verrecchia-DeLonde, Foundation Director

Natasha Lewis, Fundraiser

Amber King, Registered Nurse

Laura Laing, Freelance Writer

Gina Foringer, Senior Vice President

Karen Brown, Executive Assistant

Rebecca Redett, Nurse-Midwife

Kathryn Frey-Balter, Attorney

Kathy Daumer, Systems Engineer

June Fletcher-Hill, Former Development Professional

Margery McIver

Martha Holleman, Public Policy Consultant

Katie Davis, Attorney

Carol Berkower, Science Writer

Rebecca Wald, Assistant Professor

Betsy Goodhue, Casting Director

Elizabeth Brown, SIU, AFL-CIO

Jodi Segal Sherber, Physician

Luukia Morin, Doula and Yoga Teacher

Cecilia Meisner, Nonprofit Fundraiser

Kristen Schmitz, Former Special Education Teacher

Jeana DelRosso, English Professor

Lauren Redmond, Property Manager

Caitlin Cross-Barnet, Maternal-Child Health Researcher

Leigh Hibler, Accountant

Elizabeth J. Kennedy, Assistant Professor of Law

Jill Feinberg, Communications Professional

Katherine Jennings, Stay-at-Home Mother and Student

Lisa Marie Gray, University Diversity Educator and Administrator

Margaret McCampbell, Professor

Lisa Kelemen, Registered Nurse

Anath Ranon, Architect

Diane Bria-Wharton, Certified Public Accountant

Jenny Gaintner, Restaurant Manager

Ann Daniels, Community Volunteer

Cathy Goucher, Art Therapist

Chris Capacci Carneal, Education Development Officer

Jen Brock-Cancellieri, Environmental Advocate

Amy Dwyre, Special Education/ADA Consultant

Stacy Wells, Training Designer

Ellen Lichtman, Graphic Designer

Betsy Nix, Assistant Professor of American History

Carol Feikin, Retired Federal Employee

Laura McNabney, Real Estate Developer

Carla Hobson, University Faculty

Rosemary Flickinger, Sales Representative

Nancy E. Kass, Professor of Bioethics and Public Health

Aimee Harmon-Darrow, Financial Analyst

Sally Hess, Forensic Nurse

Eden Coughlin, Administrative Assistant

Anne Wolf, Education and Social Policy Researcher

Terry Staudenmaier, Program Officer

Heather Harvison, Non-profit CEO

Els Houtsmuller, Researcher

Tamara Bhalla, Assistant Professor

Vivian Chu, Financial Writer

Meredith Curtis, Public Relations

Susan Goering, Nonprofit Director

Cheryl Bernard Smith, Nonprofit Director

Eileen Madden D’Andrea, Roman Catholic Cantor/Librarian

Debra DiGregorio-Celnik, Dietitian

Alison James, Finance

Lisa Porcari, Attorney

Joan Goldman, Realtor

Danista E. Hunte,  Nonprofit Executive

Brooke Thomas, Stay-at-Home Mother, School and Community Volunteer