Councilman Testifies for Marriage Equality

In January, State legislators introduced the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act, a bill that would allow Maryland to become one of five states and the District of Columbia that allows same-sex marriages.

Gaithersburg City Councilman Ryan Spiegel testified at the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee Hearing on the bill earlier this week.

He argued that, whatever their opinion on same-sex marriage, legislators should approve the measure so couples planning weddings don't go to neighboring D.C. and spur on the economy there instead.

In part of his testimony, he said:

"Right now, because marriage equality is already in effect just down the road in the District of Columbia, countless dollars are being diverted away from Maryland, to Washington D.C.'s hotels, restaurants, ballrooms, flourists [stet], caterers, tailors -- not to mention all the attorneys, accountants, financial planners, and others who provide services to couples after they are married. Right now, many of our businesses are losing a critical sector of clientele, and in the process, we are not preventing anyone who wants to get married from doing so. So many of our businesses are missing out on a tremendous opportunity, because of a legal roadblock that - years from now - will seem like an antiquated notion."

Find the full text of his testimony here.