Birds on the Brain

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo supports gay marriage. He was written about the issue for the Huffington Post and late last year he made a video for the organization Marylanders for Marriage Equality laying out his support. “Join me,” he said. “It’s the right thing to do.”

Maryland Delegate Emmett C. Burns Jr. (D-Baltimore County) does not agree.

After Ayanbadejo recently offered two tickets to the home opener for a Marylanders for Marriage Equality fundraiser, Burns sent a letter to Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti saying he found it “inconceivable” that a player would support gay marriage.

“Many of my constituents and your football supporters are appalled and aghast that a member of the Ravens Football Team would step into this controversial divide and try to sway public opinion one way or the other,” Burns wrote, according to the letter, which was obtained and reported by WBALTV. “Many of your fans are opposed to such a view and feel it has no place in a sport that is strictly for pride, entertainment and excitement.”

Burns, founder and pastor of Rising Sun First Baptist Church, has been a frequent and high-profile critic of gay marriage, which was legalized in Maryland earlier this year, but faces a referendum vote in November. He was infuriated that President Obama expressed support for gay marriage, saying he would drop his support for Obama’s candidacy.

(via Del. Emmett Burns blasts Ravens for linebacker’s support of gay marriage - Rosenwald, Md. - The Washington Post)

Here’s a reason to like the Ravens. Also, it’s a reminder that not all Democrats are on the same page regarding marriage equality, even if the Democrats call for marriage equality in their party platform and even if they present a better option than Republicans on this issue.