The House of Delegates voted yesterday to approve legislation to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation, an action some members hailed as a milestone on the last frontier of civil rights.

Gay-rights supporters greeted the vote in Annapolis with restrained optimism, mindful of the tough battle they still face in the Senate. But after a decade of disappointment in their attempts to expand the roster of minorities protected by anti-discrimination laws, they couldn't help but savor last night's decision.

"It's a big step forward in making Maryland a more fair and just society," said Gov. Parris N. Glendening, who has worked for passage of the legislation. "It's a major statement. It took a lot of courage."

The legislation would amend state law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, age and gender to include sexual orientation.

It would offer legal redress for homosexuals who face discrimination in an array of circumstances, including those who are denied jobs or told they can't rent an apartment because they are gay.

In the debate leading up to the House's 80-56 decision, some delegates called the vote a momentous step for tolerance in the Free State, and promised it would be a decision they would remember long after they leave office.

"We've had a civil rights movement, and we've broken the glass ceiling, but we stopped short," said Del. David M. Valderrama, a Prince George's Democrat. "This debate is about moving forward. It's about fairness, justice and freedom. History demands that we vote for this bill."

Opponents of the measure, however, said they would remember the vote as a giant step in the wrong direction.

"This bill is not a matter of civil rights," said Del. Carmen Amedori, a Carroll County Republican. "It's a special right for special groups, and they're basing it on what they do behind closed doors."

Last night's passage of the controversial bill brought brief applause from the gallery seats above the House floor. But ardent supporters contained their enthusiasm, instead focusing on a Senate committee vote that is far from secure.

"That is our biggest hurdle," said Kathleen Nieberding-Ryan, who represents the Maryland chapter of the National Organization for Women. "We're confident if we can get it out of that committee, we can succeed."

The Judicial Proceedings Committee, which is viewed as the Senate's most conservative panel, is expected to vote on the measure next week. Despite aggressive lobbying from the governor, several members remain uncommitted.

One of the committee's biggest gay-rights foes, Sen. Alexander X. Mooney, went so far as to hire a Virginia public relations firm to publish material against the bill in newspapers where key undecided senators reside.

The Frederick County Republican said he wanted to clarify the issues surrounding the measure. But opponents called Mooney's effort, which was paid for with roughly $1,000 of his legislative office funds, appalling.

"That's not behavior we'd expect from a state senator," said Elizabeth A. Seaton, executive director of the Free State Justice Campaign.

Glendening said he would urge the uncommitted senators on the 11-member committee "not to be moved by people who would use fear and intimidation" to campaign against a bill.

Several delegates credited the governor's forceful lobbying effort as a key factor in the bill's success this year. Similar bills have died in committee in six attempts over the past eight years.

Glendening entered the fray this year by offering a moving personal account of his brother's struggles during 19 years as a closeted, gay Air Force sergeant, and his painful death from AIDS. The governor personally lobbied many legislators on the issue.

Pub Date: 3/25/99