Gay rights groups on Thursday cheered
passage of a gay marriage bill in the Maryland Senate.
State senators approved Governor Martin
O'Malley's plan to make Maryland the eighth state to legalize gay
marriage after debating
the bill for roughly two hours. The measure now heads to the
governor's desk for his signature.
Joe Solmonese, the outgoing president
of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), called the vote a giant step
forward.
“We are in this position due to the
unwavering leadership and resolve of Governor O’Malley and our
legislative allies, particularly Sens. Rich Madaleno, Jamie Raskin,
Rob Garagiola, and Brian Frosh,” Solmonese said.
“Since Governor O'Malley has
championed this bill and already said he will sign the bill into law,
today's historic vote means marriage equality in Maryland!” said
Stuart Gaffney, Marriage Equality USA Media Director. “We are
encouraged by reports that former Vice President Dick Cheney made
calls to lobby Maryland legislators to support the bill. Supporting
his lesbian daughter Mary illustrates the true meaning of family
values across party lines.”
The American Foundation for Equal
Rights (AFER), the group challenging the constitutionality of
California's gay marriage ban, Proposition 8, also applauded the
move.
“Today's vote by the Maryland General
Assembly shows that the momentum toward marriage equality is
unstoppable. Generations of Americans will applaud Governor Martin
O’Malley and the bipartisan coalition of Maryland lawmakers for
joining the courts and legislatures nationwide in defending the
fundamental freedom to marry for all.”