Paul Singer Invests $250,000 in Maryland Marriage Campaign

October 15, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | October 15, 2012

Kevin Nix | (202) 431-5796 | [email protected]

Paul Singer Invests $250,000 in Maryland Marriage Campaign

BALTIMORE – Republican Paul Singer today gave $250,000 to Marylanders for Marriage Equality, the lead group working to pass marriage equality in Maryland. Singer runs the firm Elliot Management in New York City and has given more than $10 million to marriage equality efforts across the country.

“Paul’s leadership on marriage equality continues to amaze and sets an example for other fair-minded members of the Republican Party,” said Chad Griffin, president of the Human Rights Campaign, a founder of Marylanders for Marriage Equality. “His investment in the equality and dignity of Marylanders reflects the growing bipartisan support to get Question 6 over the finish line in these critical final weeks.”

On the November ballot is Question 6 that calls for civil marriage licenses for gay and lesbian couples. It also protects religious freedom. About 30 percent of Romney voters in Maryland support the measure, according to polling by Hart Research.

“The partisan veil that has previously divided the marriage equality issue simply no longer exists,” said  Ted Olson, former Solicitor General in the George W. Bush Administration who teamed up with David Boies to fight California’s Proposition 8. “Paul’s steadfast commitment to marriage equality serves as an example to those who haven’t considered this their issue or their fight.”

Votes by Republican legislators earlier this year enabled the Civil Marriage Protection Act to pass the Maryland legislature.

“Paul Singer demonstrates real leadership yet again on marriage equality,” said Maryland State Sen. Allan Kittleman, a Republican who voted for the legislation.  “He realizes, like I do, that Question 6 is about fairness and equality under the law – values we all, no matter party, share here in Maryland.”

Last week, Marylanders for Marriage Equality began airing television ads featuring Revs. Donte Hickman of Baltimore and Delman Coates of Prince George’s County. Both affirm that Question 6 is about fairness under the law while protecting religious liberty. The NAACP National Voter Fund also began airing radio ads of Julian Bond, NAACP’s chairman emeritus.

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