Maryland was caught up in a nationwide protest today, as gay rights supporters from Baltimore to San Francisco protested a vote banning gay marriage in California.
"With all this talk about American values these last few years, is this what we want America to stand for?" said Emcee Sean McGovern.
Advocates for gay rights filled the front lawn of city hall, carrying signs that say
"I didn't get to vote on your marriage" and "Prop 8 equals hate." Baltimore was part of a simultaneous rally happening in all 50 states after voters in California passed Proposition 8 that takes away court-approved gay marriages.
"There's just hate behind it," said one protester.
Hundreds say civil marriage is a civil right. Cliff Ayers and Paul Martin are a new couple, but they fear what passed in California may spread to other states.
"We might as well nip it in the bud right now and show the rest of the states we're for gay marriage and equal rights for everyone," said Ayers.
In San Francisco, thousands of people turned out. Nole Starkey is heterosexual, but she's showing support for her best friend, who lives in California.
"It just breaks my heart that he couldn't legally get married like the rest of us," Starkey said.
Massachusetts and Connecticut are the only two states that allow gay marriage.
In May, Governor Martin O'Malley signed into law a bill allowing domestic partners to make medical or funeral decisions for each other. But the protesters won't stop there.
"We have to come out and take a stand and show people we are willing to fight for it," said Paul Martin.
"Some of us have been together for 15, 20, 30, 50 years and we don't have our rights," said Deborah Kleinmann.
The national protest is expected to be one of many that will push for equal marriage rights.
Supporters of traditional marriage said today's rallies have generated publicity, but will ultimately make no difference in California's vote.
