It's done. After much debate both yesterday and today, the Maryland Senate has passed its marriage equality bill!
Now, all that is left is for the Maryland House to pass the bill, reconcile it with the Senate version, have both Houses pass the reconciliated version, have the Governor sign it, and then endure months of watching NOM and its allies gather signatures to put the new law to a referendum vote, which will take place either in November of this year or Election Day, 2012...
Is it going to be Maine and California deja vu, or will NOM's campaign strategems and hate-tactics ultimately fail to impress the good people of Maryland?
Will LGBT and progressive organizations find the right messaging to counteract NOM's 'we must protect the children' ads, which have proved devastating in other campaigns?
Will the passage of the bill in the Maryland Senate prompt increased efforts elsewhere soon, such as in Rhode Island and New York?
Your thoughts?
Updated by jpmassar at Thu Feb 24, 2011, 06:32:40 PM
Update The Tweet that brought the news:
#SB116 PASSES SENATE 25-21!!! #MarriageEquality! On to the House, #Marryland!!! http://twitpic.com/...
Updated by jpmassar at Thu Feb 24, 2011, 06:42:04 PM
Update. And here we go:
"You will see it at the ballot box" Jacob says on Maryland marriage bill, SB116, if it passes. @EqualityMD via Najafi
Updated by jpmassar at Thu Feb 24, 2011, 06:44:39 PM
Update via Gay Politics
The bill’s openly gay co-author, Sen. Rich Madaleno, was a leading force in persuading his colleagues to support the measure. Madaleno told Gay Politics last year that an increase in the number of openly gay and lesbian state legislators would have an impact on their straight colleagues. ”Just by having out people there to participate in the conversation fundamentally alters the discussion. The tenor of the conversation changes. It humanizes it,” Madaleno said.
Maryland has seven openly gay and lesbian state lawmakers, six of whom serve in the House of Delegates.
Updated by jpmassar at Thu Feb 24, 2011, 06:55:26 PM
Update A House version of the bill is expected to be introduced in House committee tomorrow. http://prop8trialtracker.com/...