This is actually my favorite part:
Kittleman attempted to put forward civil union legislation. He met resistance, and had this to say:
…despite the support by a strong majority of Maryland voters, I did not receive any support from my Republican and Democrat senate colleagues. In fact, the Republican senate caucus yesterday voted to take a “caucus position” against same-sex marriage. My Republican colleagues have also made it very clear to me that they would not be supportive of my civil union legislation. I also did not receive any support from Republicans or Democrats in the House of Delegates.
Consequently, with the civil union legislation no longer being a viable option, I was put in the position of deciding whether to support same-sex marriage or voting to continue the prohibition against same-sex marriage. As a strong proponent of personal and economic liberty/freedom, I simply could not, in good conscience, vote against SB 116.
This is such a subtle and terrific “eff you” to the opposition. It is drawing a line in the sand and it’s terrific. He’s telling those playing to (nominally) traditionalist views: Hey, I didn’t want to do gay marriage. I wanted to give them legal rights equal to straight married couples, but still feel like my beliefs about marriage, as well as those of people like me, were respected. But you made it clear that my legislation wouldn’t surface. So, since this marriage bill is all that there is to vote on to ensure equal civil rights, I cannot vote against it. You all gave me no choice – so you may have just fucked yourselves.”