Maryland Hate Groups Watch: Maryland Society of Patriots

In the 2011 legislative session, a new group, stemming from the Tea Party movement, made its presence know, particularly on the social issues of marriage equality and anti-discrimination protections based on gender identity.  The Maryland Society of Patriots, run by the apparent father and son team of defense attorney Bill and Sam Hale, claimed victory for defeating both measures, noting that the victories "reveal a distinct competitive advantage the GOP/Tea Party holds over their Democrat opponents and reinforce the notion that Republicans must embrace social conservatism to be successful in Maryland."

The Maryland Society of Patriots views "social issues" as presenting "a golden opportunity for Maryland Republicans to reach pro-life/pro-marriage Democrats and to draw sharp and meaningful contrast with Democrat ideology."  Failed U.S. Senate candidate for Maryland, Republican Eric Wargotz, thought the Society important enough to bless with a special visit.

At the hearing in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee on HB 235, the Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act, Sam Hale - seemingly unaware of the different between sexual orientation and gender identity - repeatedly conflated the two in his opposition testimony.  Ahead of the vote on marriage equality in the House of Delegates, the Society called for a referendum and volunteered to coordinate work between Society members and houses of worship.  It seems clear that the Society opposed HB 235 because of the Society's concern that homosexuality is a negative force in society.

We look forward to more nuttery from this father-son duo in the years to come.  Daddy Bill, whose given first name is Roger, apparently gave $150 to Republican Brian Murphy in the 2010 Maryland Governor's race, while son Sam only coughed up $15; however, Brian Murphy probably is ok with this, as Sam ran his failed campaign.  Sam also parlayed this into a failed bid to run the Maryland Republican Party, losing to well-known right winger, former Frederick County Senator Alex Mooney.