Debate Over Same-Sex Marriage Intensifies In Maryland

WASHINGTON - As New York becomes the latest state to allow same-sex marriages, the debate in Maryland is only intensifying.
 
Gov. Martin O'Malley said late last week he would sponsor a bill that allows same-sex couples to marry.
 
During the previous legislative session, O'Malley's support was not central to the debate, and the bill ultimately fell short of gaining enough votes in the House of Delegates.
 
"Marylanders of all walks of life want their children to live in a loving, stable, committed home protected under the law," O'Malley said in announcing his support.
 
"I don't know that it will encourage those people - especially in the House of Delegates who had changed their minds about the issue. I don't know that him coming out in favor of it will make them change their minds back," says State Sen. Nancy Jacobs, R-Harford. Supporters of the bill believe this high-profile sponsorship will help same-sex marriage garner the votes needed to pass. "It's dramatic progress for the legislation," State Sen. Jamie Raskin, D-Silver Spring, says of the governor's lead on the issue.

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