Good for Maryland! They will become the 8th state to allow same sex marriages.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/maryland-senate-passes-same-sex-marriage-bill/2012/02/23/gIQAfbakWR_story.html

By Aaron C. Davis, Thursday, February 23, 9:44 PM

Maryland will join seven states and the District in allowing same-sex marriage, ending a year-long drama in Annapolis over the legislation and expanding nationwide momentum for gay rights.

The Senate passed the measure by a vote of 25 to 22 Thursday night, and Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) has vowed to sign it into law.

To win some of the final votes needed for passage in the House of Delegates last week, backers agreed to conditions that could help opponents place the new law on the November ballot. With polls showing the Maryland electorate almost evenly split on the issue, a referendum all but promises another contentious battle before the issue is settled in the state.

Ministers of several African American megachurches in Prince George’s County as well as conservative and Catholic groups have vowed to help repeal the measure.

The likelihood that the issue could land on the November ballot in Maryland presents a potential dilemma for President Obama. He has been heavily courting the gay community for donations and votes in his reelection campaign but has stopped short of fully embracing marriage rights. Obama has said his views are “evolving,” a statement viewed by many supporters in that community as a strong hint that he will soon endorse the cause, perhaps if and when he is safely reelected.

Gay rights activists can be expected to pressure the president to publicly support the Maryland law in November.

At the same time, however, Obama will probably be pressured by many African American leaders in Maryland to join them in opposing the measure.

If the debate in Maryland’s legislature is any guide, the mixture of emotions among African Americans over gay marriage will not be an easy issue for Obama to navigate.

Despite Maryland having one of the largest Democratic majorities in any state legislature, same-sex marriage advocates had to overcome fierce opposition from blocs of African American lawmakers, especially those with connections to large evangelical churches, to cobble together coalitions big enough to pass both chambers.

Maryland has the highest percentage of black voters of any state outside of the Deep South and a percentage of black voters nearly twice that of any other state that has passed same-sex marriage.

David Mixner, a prominent gay rights activist and blogger who is also an Obama campaign donor, said the Maryland bill “lands the issue squarely on the president’s desk” because of the state’s proximity to Washington and its sizable black electorate.

He noted that Obama’s opposition to gay marriage has been cited by opponents in California, as well as by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), who recently vetoed a marriage law.

“It is essential that he makes clear to the voters of Maryland, without any caveats, that if he were a resident of the state, he would vote against repeal,” Mixner said. “We can’t afford to have his statement be ambiguous so the other side can claim that he’s on their side.”

As the Maryland Senate’s final vote was read aloud just after 6 p.m. in Annapolis, cheers and applause erupted from packed galleries of onlookers. Groups of supporters quickly spilled into the streets in front of the State House as passing motorists honked their horns and flashed a thumbs-up.

I don't understand what the big deal is about gay marraige?

Then it shouldn't bother you if they're allowed to marry.

Good for them!

Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all

equating homosexual relationships with heterosexual ones, having the government sanction such activity is the issue

Did you not see the part that said there has to be a referendum?

It doesn't bother me at all. Marraige is just a word. Whether it's called marraige or whatever I don't care.I understand it though. I could be in a loving commited relationship with a man for 30 years and in most states I wouldn't be allowed to marry him. On the other hand I could walk to the nearest bar,meet a drunken slut,fly to Las Vegas, and be married within the hour(it might take longer just to get to Vegas,but you get the point). Which do you think is a better choice?

you got something against drunken sluts?

we cant read peoples minds or know their intentions BUT when it comes to marriage there is an absolute presupposition of 'consummation'(sex),

the government sanctioning the type of sex required for life is one thing, the government sanctioning sodomy and other 'alternative' sex is another,,,,



Im for equal rights, and a CIVIL UNION(which would have Nothing to do with peoples sexual habits and choices, or 'consummation') for other relationships,

The christian conservatives would probably tell you to go with the Vegas option.

I believe there will be one if they're able to get the 56000 signatures needed by July to get on the ballot in November. So yes, I did know about that. Still, I think it's a good step forward for Maryland.

Unfortunately, that is true.

Gay marriage advocates said they will fight to make sure the law is upheld and that they think it is inappropriate to leave the issue to the discretion of voters.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/effort-to-overturn-gay-marriage-legislation-begins-in-md-religious-groups-say-they-will-help/2012/02/24/gIQA1HOCYR_story.html/


Nothing like taking a pi$$ in the mouth of the people that will be deciding this thing..

More Love Less War

I really think that the question that should be asked isn't why gays aren't allowed to marry, but instead why government has ANY say over marriage gay or straight alike at all?

I don't think it's any of their business nor their place to be dictating who can be deemed married and who can't. It is a personal thing and as such they have no right to be a part of it.

heterosexuals have had no issue with it,,,,,

if people really dont want government to be involved, they wouldnt be fighting for government aknowledgement,,,,

Many heterosexuals do have an issue with it and are fighting to make sure the government steps in and says no to gay marriage.

this is true

its the trend now,, people are drinking the kool aid that we shouldnt recognize or aknowledge in any way that men and women are different,,,,

It has nothing to do with gender differences, it's the fact that some people (read: the religious right) refuse to acknowledge that we're not all the same, don't have the same likes, dislikes and attractions. They are trying to force everyone into their little box like they know what's best for the person more than the person itself does.

People are different, quit trying to change those who don't need changing and get over it.

I will agree with you on government involvement though, we are asking the wrong question here.

thats true, and if marital laws were only based in 'attraction' there would be alot of other sanctioned marriage types

but, by my understanding anyhow, it is based in family FOUNDATION for generations of human beings, which begins with a man and woman making a bond (whether it lasts one night or a lifetime)

marriage encourages us to put a priority on trying to give those generations a 'lifetime' foundation,,,



the issue of age requirement takes into account the ability for someone to truly 'consent' to being a part of such a foundation and the issue of relations takes into account the 'risk' physically to the generations which may be created, although the differences there are highly overstated in general and should be removed as well if we are to truly all be 'equal'