Marriage Equality Takes Giant Step Forward in Maryland

[Fearless]

The Maryland House of Delegates just approved marriage equality legislation introduced by Governor Martin O’Malley (D) that would allow committed gay and lesbian couples to marry. The next stop for the legislation is a vote in the State Senate. Last year, the same-sex marriage bill died on the House floor; a vote was not taken.

http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/marriage-equality-takes-giant-step-forward-in-maryland

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Here's what a governor is supposed to act like.

[Tx4obama]

1. VOTE total: 71-67

Maryland House of Delegates passes marriage equality, 71-67

BREAKING: Maryland House Of Delegates Passes Marriage Equality Bill | After two days of contentious debate and the consideration of several amendments, the Maryland House of Delegates has passed marriage equality legislation with a vote of 71-67. One of the amendments passed delayed the date of enactment from October to January. Another created a non-severability clause, such that if the religious protections are overturned by the courts, the entire law would have to be deemed invalid. The measure still has to advance through the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee and full Senate, and even then, it is likely to be challenged by a referendum. Listen to the final vote:

<SNIP video here>

Update:

Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) responds: “Today, the House of Delegates voted for human dignity. Speaker Busch and his fellow Delegates deserve a lot of credit for their hard work. At its heart, their vote was a vote for Maryland’s children….Now, as the Senate prepares to vote, all of us are needed – and we’re prepared to redouble our efforts. The common thread running through our efforts together in Maryland is the thread of human dignity; the dignity of work, the dignity of faith, the dignity of family, the dignity of every individual. Love is an unalienable right.”

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/02/17/428460/maryland-house-of-delegates-passes-marriage-equality-bill/

[William769]

2. Concur with your coment.