Marylands Same-Sex Marriage Bill Passed
When Maryland’s governor, Martin O’Malley, signed legislation declaring same-sex marriage lawful, it was another controversial victory in a long line of controversial victories for the Democratic state leader.
New York criminal defense lawyers backed the bill and promised to endorse it once it was passed. When the bill was finally — and laboriously — passed by the state’s lower House of Delegates, the state Senate swiftly voted in favor.
Although still debatable, same-sex marriage has been expanding its approval nationwide. Washington state legislators joined with New Jersey lawmakers both passed a gay marriage law. New Jersey said its legislation quickly vetoed by Governor Chris Christie.
Same-sex couples can wed in the District of Columbia and six states: Massachusetts, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Washington state and New York.
Foes of same-sex marriage in Maryland were involved fighting to get a referendum to repeal the law on the ballot in November. Maryland Republican Delegate Tony O’Donnel, who opposed the bill as the House minority leader, said, “The state’s citizens since it is such a weighty issue — should have the final answer.”
Opponents needed almost 56,000 signatures to remove the measure from the ballot, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections. A figure they failed to reach.
