And Now, Gay Marriage in Maryland?

[Altair]

The stumbling block in their legislature was the MD House...where same-sex marriage just passed!

Maryland House Approves Gay-Marriage Measure

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/18/us/maryland-house-approves-gay-marriage-measure.html?_r=1&hp

Passage is expected in their Senate, and (unlike in NJ) their governor, Democrat Martin O'Malley, has been pushing for the bill and will sign. But as in Washington State, a ballot initiative to repeal same-sex marriage is almost certain.

As someone who fought this battle for long hard years before seeing it become reality in NY, I'm astonished by the flurry of events over the last few days. As a straight friend of mine put it, this has been the most appropriate Valentine's week ever!

[Lokabrenna]

The stumbling block in their legislature was the MD House...where same-sex marriage just passed!

Maryland House Approves Gay-Marriage Measure

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/18/us/maryland-house-approves-gay-marriage-measure.html?_r=1&hp

Passage is expected in their Senate, and (unlike in NJ) their governor, Democrat Martin O'Malley, has been pushing for the bill and will sign. But as in Washington State, a ballot initiative to repeal same-sex marriage is almost certain.

As someone who fought this battle for long hard years before seeing it become reality in NY, I'm astonished by the flurry of events over the last few days. As a straight friend of mine put it, this has been the most appropriate Valentine's week ever!

Wonderful news!

Here's hoping all the other states will follow suit!

[MadZealot]

The stumbling block in their legislature was the MD House...where same-sex marriage just passed!

And so grind the inexorable wheels of progress.

As you're someone who's fought so long for this change, this must be one helluva week for you.

[HeartShadow]

The stumbling block in their legislature was the MD House...where same-sex marriage just passed!

Maryland House Approves Gay-Marriage Measure

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/18/us/maryland-house-approves-gay-marriage-measure.html?_r=1&hp

Passage is expected in their Senate, and (unlike in NJ) their governor, Democrat Martin O'Malley, has been pushing for the bill and will sign. But as in Washington State, a ballot initiative to repeal same-sex marriage is almost certain.

As someone who fought this battle for long hard years before seeing it become reality in NY, I'm astonished by the flurry of events over the last few days. As a straight friend of mine put it, this has been the most appropriate Valentine's week ever!

 
*blinkblink* holy cow!  That's even getting into *southern state* territory, isn't it?

[RandallS]

*blinkblink* holy cow!  That's even getting into *southern state* territory, isn't it?

I wouldn't call Maryland a southern State.

[monsnoleedra]

I wouldn't call Maryland a southern State.

Yep, its north of the Mason-Dixon line.  Granted it tried to succeed from the Union during the Civil War (War Between the States) but so many federal troops were pumped into it that it couldn't.  Couldn't have the Federal Capital located in the Southern States in revolt.

On the initial remarks of gay marriage in Maryland, to be honest I really could care less one way or the other.  There are to many far reaching and pressing issues to my mind to get wrapped about this one.

[HeartShadow]

I wouldn't call Maryland a southern State.

 
Well, GETTING into that area.  It's not what I'd call a hotbed of liberalism!

[Altair]

*blinkblink* holy cow!  That's even getting into *southern state* territory, isn't it?

It's not the southern geography that surprises me about this--it's the large African American population (a third, or so I've read). That will make this tougher to survive a referendum than in WA, in my opinion. But I'm hopeful. Some of my relatives live in MD, and despite being nominally "churched", they were happily celebrating at my wedding. Enough connections like that, and we may win this one.

[sailor]

Well, GETTING into that area.  It's not what I'd call a hotbed of liberalism!

 
Lots of people work in DC for the govt and govt agencies that located near DC. Northern Virginia specifically has been turning Virginia from a reliable Republican state to much more likely to go Democrat.

A referendum This fall could be "embarassing".  If there is a large turnout amoung Blacks to vote for Obama, that could tip the scales against same-sex marriage.  An off-year election, or no Black running for President would lower turnout.