Not all Democrats are pro-Equality. Take the case of Maryland Delegate Emmett C. Burns Jr. The Delegate wrote to Baltimore Ravens owner Steven Disciotti, on official letterhead, demanding that Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo for speaking out in favor of same-sex marriage.

Burns wrote:

I find it inconceivable that one of your players, Mr. Brendon Ayanbadejo would publicly endorse Same-Sex marriage, specifically as a Raven Football player. 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.

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. I believe Mr. Ayanbadejo should concentrate on football and steer clear of dividing the fan base.

I am requesting that you take the necessary action, as a National Football League Owner, to inhibit such expressions from your employees and that he be ordered to cease and desist such injurious actions. I know of no other NFL player who has done what Mr. Ayanbadejo is doing.

Burns is aligned with the campaign to try and overturn Maryland’s same-sex marriage law. A campaign, it should be noted, that relies upon a large number of lies and deceptions in order to scare voters about what equality means. Burns has stated in the past that same-sex marriage has “nothing to do with discrimination” and everything to do with spreading the LGBT agenda. HE even attacked President Barack Obama for supporting same-sex marriage saying “I love the president, but I cannot support what he has done.”

ThinkProgress noted that:

Burns is wrong; sports are not strictly for “pride, entertainment, and excitement.” Sports stars can also be heroes and role models, and Ayanbadejo’s support same-sex families is a perfect example of speaking out on behalf of those treated unfairly in society. Burns just seems to be bitter that his anti-equality campaign doesn’t have an NFL spokesperson.

What Burns is doing, though, is relying upon the same language, attacks and attitudes that once restricted his own rights. At one time, those who spoke out for the political and civil rights of Blacks were attacked for doing so, and were often silenced. While the battles are not the same in their entirety, the language, attacks and attitudes often are.