The group working to repeal Maryland's
gay marriage law has released a television ad featuring Dr. Angela
McCaskill.
McCaskill is the Gallaudet University
chief diversity officer who was put on paid leave after school
officials learned that she was a signatory to the petition which put
the law up to a popular vote on November 6.
At a press conference, McCaskill's
attorney repeatedly said that McCaskill has never publicly taken a
stance on marriage equality, adding that she is not anti-gay.
McCaskill said she signed the petition because she thought it was
“important that as a citizen of the state of Maryland I could
exercise my right to participate in the political process.”
“I am pro-democracy,” she added.
In the 30-second ad released late last
week, a female narrator claims proponents of the law promised it
would protect opponents.
“But it doesn't,” she says before
mentioning McCaskill's plight.
“She's not alone. When marriage has
been redefined elsewhere as Question 6 does, people who believe in
traditional marriage have been punished.”
“We're all at risk under Question
six,” she adds. (The video is embedded on this page. Visit
our video library for more videos.)
Gallaudet University has asked the
Maryland Marriage Alliance to pull the ad, claiming it owns the
copyrights to footage of McCaskill used in the ad.
Derek McCoy, who heads the group, has reportedly
refused.