McCaskill

Marylanders for Marriage Equality may be fighting to save same-sex marriage at the ballot box come November, but it has also put its weight on the side of a local university administrator put on leave for signing a petition that helped put marriage equality to a vote.

In a statement the group disagreed with Gallaudet University’s decision to place its chief diversity officer, Dr. Angela McCaskill, on paid administrative leave after it was revealed that she had signed the petition that put Maryland’s same-sex marriage law on the ballot.

“We strongly disagree with the decision to put the chief diversity officer on leave and hope she is reinstated immediately,” said campaign organizer Josh Levin in a statement. “Everyone is entitled to free speech and to their own opinion about Question 6, which is about treating everyone fairly and equally under the law.”

And in a strange coinciding of opinions, the Maryland Marriage Alliance, which is fighting same-sex marriage in the state, similarly put out a statement defending McCaskill. “I join an ever-growing number of Marylanders in expressing my complete dismay over Gallaudet University’s decision to place Dr. Angela McCaskill on administrative leave for signing the marriage referendum petition,” said Derek McCoy, the group’s chairman.

Recent polls have found that support for same-sex marriage exceeds its opposition.