. >> reporter: sitting next to anderson was derek mccoy, executive director of maryland family alliance. other than a nod mccoy had no response, though the moderator of the family alliance town hall called the comments excellent as some applauded. >> anybody who is referring to gay and lesbian couples as being worthy of death in this conversation about question 6 should be disavowed. >> reporter: sultan shakir is political director of marylanders for maryland equality, the coalition supporting same sex marriage on the ballot. >> when somebody says something like that who is really trying to go to city hall and get a marriage license is worthy of death, i think it's very inappropriate. >> reporter: inflamed passions included this prince george's county police captain irene hukkins who hopes to marry her partner in maryland. she sent an e-mail blast saying this type of defensive behavior will not fly in maryland. >> those who practice such things are deserving of death. >> reporter: meanwhile pastor robert anderson has not responded to requests for interviews to explain hi worthy of death

. >> reporter: sitting next to anderson was derek mccoy, the executive director of the maryland family alliance. other than a nod mccoy had no response, though the moderator of the family alliance town hall called the comments excellent as some applauded. >> anybody who is referring to gay and lesbian couples as being worthy of death in this conversation about question 6 should be disavowed. >> reporter: fulton shakir is the political director of marylanders for maryland equality supporting same sex marriage on the ballot. >> somebody to say something like that about somebody trying to get a marriage license at city hall saying they're worthy of death is very inappropriate. >> reporter: inflamed passions have included this prince george's county police captain irene hukkins who hopes to marry her partner in maryland and sent an e-mail blast saying this type of defensive behavior will not fly in maryland. >> those who practice such things are deserving of death. >> reporter: meanwhile pastor robert anderson has not responded to requests for interviews to explain his worthy of death comm

derek mccoy) "so the yelll....bleep....so this "is" a civil rights issue..."ome came to fiihttfor their church.....others came to p22249:02) "if she were to grow up o be a lesbian i want &pher to know i did everything coull to protect her civil riggts and to protest everyones rights." (22:49:49) (mccoy) we're not trying to ootriciie anybody. theesimple fact is rr-defining marriage is what we'reetalking about..." the debate merged both thee (23:00:21) "black people ver - shoold not be a part of &pdenying righhs to people........" &p (derekk ""here's no way in theeworld...." (23:00:54) (emmeet burns) "god is love thats in the gospel. you have a ii informed interpretatioo of what the bible says...." churches, who oppose samm sex but many chhrcces still . - oppose it. (22:36600) "to brrng that into the church weakenn the faaric of what he phurcc stands foo across tte years." (23:19:17) our marriages as heterosexuals. these re peepleewho want too join in ssmething beautiful. thaat what thii is about." both sides are now lining up some big-name support. in just a fe

. >> derek mccoy pointed out that similar measures have failed in dozens of states. >> we believe that we can love our gay and lesbian friends, family we understand that, we don't think we have to redefine marriage and that word specifically. >> reporter: the discussion drew dozens of people to the friendship heights community center, there was also a discussion on question seven, anotr ballot question that would provide for a casino in prince georges county. possibly national harbor. it would also allow for table games at game iing spots. >> it will help our other priorities which many of us share. >> reporter: but heather mazeer spoke of not enabling gambling. >> if we hold our leaders accountable for job creation. >> some of those at the forum today say some of this suggestion may have suede their vote. others say it didn't change their mind but has helped them make an informed decision. >> georgetown public safety officials are looking for a man they say burglarized a home near campus and attacked two students. this happened in the 3500 block of o street. two students found the guy

. >> on the other side of the debate, derek mccoy pointed out that similar measures have failed in dozens of states. >> we believe that we can love our ga and lesbian friends, family, colleagues, we understand that, but we don't think we need to redefine marriage and that word specifically. >> sponsored by the school of. public policy drew dozens of people to the friendship heights community center. there was also a discussion on question seven. it would also allow for table games at gaming centers in the state. ann kaiser spoke in favor of question seven. >> i think it will bring new jobs, probably less money than some suggest, but i think it will bring additional dollars to help us fund education and other priority that's much of us share. >> but heather spoke against expanding gambling in maryland. >> if we reject question seven and how old our leaders accountable for job creation and economic development. >> darcy spencer, news 4 today. >> some said the discussion may have swayed their vote. others said it helped them make a more informed decision. >> today the metro will remark the o

late yesterday derek mccoy, the executive director for the organization issued a written statement saying any attempt to imply that dr. anderson's reading of scripture was a call to harm gays and lesbians is false and serves as a distraction of the real issues of this campaign. anderson says his group is committed to the dignity and respect of all people, but that marriage is reserved for one man and one woman. >>> today supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage and the referendum are planning to rally at gallaudet university in the district and they are both planning to call for the same thing at this rally. both groups want angela mccaskill reinstated as the school's chief diversity officer. she was placed on paid leave earlier this month after administrators learned she had sign add petition to get the -- signed a petition to get the referendum on the ballot. she thinks voters should have the chance to decide if same- sex marriage should be legal or not. >>> merchandise midstate board of elections is investigating why some absentee ballots in prince george's county and montgomery c

derek mccoy, part of the drive, and the campaign to vote no on question 6, wants mccaskill reinstated. >> this is something where a private citizen said, let's let the people decide on it. and as a chief diversity officer, i say that was about fairness. for her she should be reinstated. they should reconsider this immediately. >> reporter: the leaders of the campaign to vote yes on question 6 to legalize same-sex marriage agree that angela mccaskill should be reinstated. >> marylanders believe question of is about equality, about fairness, and it's only fair dr. mccaskill be reinstated. >> reporter: i checked with the university just a few moments ago and is told there is no change. angela mccaskill tonight remains on paid administrative leave while the matter is being reviewed. live from college park, maryland, chris gordon, news4. back to you. >>> new details tonight in the disappearance of a young girl on her way to school. >> famous canadian cousins. celebrities who are related. >>> i'm liz crenshaw. health insurance for your pet? is it worth it? the pros and cons of paying for ♪