Perhaps the most startling anecdote about the path to victory in Maryland is the fact that he who must not be named Lord Vader former Vice President Dick Cheney (R - location unknown) lobbied Maryland Delegates in favor of the bill, while current President Barack Obama (D - evolving) neither said nor did anything to push the bill. Such are the vagaries of LGBT politics, with Republicans very slowly but perceptibly breaking from monolithic opposition to marriage equality, while some Democrats continue to perceive it as a third rail.
At least two Republican members of the House of Delegates voted for the legislation, which, unlike last year, included stricter religious "protections." It is rumored that Delegate Wade Kach (R - Baltimore) was lobbied by the Prince of Darkness himself, changing his mind to support the legislation after voting against it in committee days ago. At least one Democrat, Tiffany Alston, eventually ended up supporting the bill once her amendment was accepted -- an amendment that could possibly delay when same-sex marriages will be allowed to begin in Maryland if there is no referendum, but probably won't because a referendum is all but certain.
Ken Mehlman and Michael Bloomberg also lobbied legislators.
For a third time, the power of a Governor willing to lay his or her reputation on the line was demonstrated. Governor O'Malley joins New York's Governor Cuomo and Washington's Governor Gregoire as 'can do' executives. Congratulations! (Let's talk, Governor Chafee.)
Select Republican legislators have now voted for marriage equality in Washington State, New Jersey, New York and Maryland that I am sure of, and possibly Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.
The most recent polling in Maryland showed that a bare majority, 50%, of Marylanders favor same-sex marriage, and a slim plurality-near-majority of registered voters also support it.
Washington Post, 1/31/12, 1064 adults
Would you favor or oppose a state law that would allow gay and lesbian couples to get married?
Favor: 50%
Oppose: 44%
Gonzalez Research, 808 registered voters, 1/15/12
Would you favor or oppose a law in Maryland allowing same-sex couples to
marry, giving them the same legal rights as heterosexual married couples in areas such as tax exemptions, inheritance and pension coverage?
Favor: 49%
Against: 47%
http://www.gonzalesresearch.com/...
It sure looks like the referendum in November will be a squeaker.
Unless, that is, Pandora (see below) releases flesh-eating bacteria that only go after homophobes.
Tweets courtesy of Equality Maryland:
Towleroad @tlrd
Maryland House Reconvenes, Takes Up Marriage Equality Bill: LISTEN LIVE bit.ly/zsiIqc
Equality Maryland
Looks like only supporters of marriage equality in both side of the House gallery...what could this mean.....
Equality Maryland
Del Burns: Believes people have a right to be gay (oh, thx) - but not a right to marriage.
Equality Maryland
Del Pat McDonough: I'm not voting against this bill in judgement of these people - but bcs of what God told me.
Equality Maryland
Del Jay Walker: Marriage - It's not a civil right, but a civil liberty. I respect both sides, but what's next if we open Pandora's box ?
Del Jay Walker: I have 20 gay friends. I love everyone, I respect everyone. I make this vote 4 generations to come - only man/lady marriage
Equality Maryland
Del joseline pena-melnyk standing up in support of the bill
Equality Maryland
Del George: Allowing same-sex couples tomarry will cause impressionable children to consider the gay lifesyle.
Denis Dison @DenisDison
i just heard the phrase "sexual climax" and the word "lactation" from the floor of the maryland house. this debate is off the rails. #mdssm
Equality Maryland
Del Luke Clippinger: I urge you to vote yes bcs I am here as a child of God, perfect in my imperfection. I'm here as neighbor, friend...
Equality Maryland
Del Aruna Miller: Life,liberty & pursuit of happiness for all MD'ers. Right now all are not treated equal in MD - I urge body to vote green
Equality Maryland
Del Keiffer Mitchell: This IS the civil rights issue of our generation. I've been asked to tone down suppt for bill - but I look to history
Equality Maryland
Del Mike Smiegel feels that a civil union bill would be unifiying. Marriage is only for churches. (Smiegel is a lawyer -- right ?)
Equality Maryland
Marriage equality passes 71-67 in MD !!!!!
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(1) Minnesota will also be holding a referendum related to marriage equality. But, if passed, would not change existing law. Passage would write into the Minnesota constitution the existing law forbidding same-sex marriage.
3:47 PM PT: Baltimore Sun:
Gov. Martin O’Malley’s to bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland was approved by House of Delegates Friday evening, sending the measure to the Senate, where approval is expected.
The Civil Marriage Protection Act passed the House with support from a Prince George’s County lawmaker who helped kill the bill last year by walking out of a voting session.
The House passage puts Maryland on the verge of being the eighth state to allow gay nuptials. The legislation still must be taken up in the Senate, which last year passed a similar bill and is expected do so again. The chamber will likely debate it next week.
The House vote is a major win for O’Malley, who threw the weight of his office behind the measure after a similar bill fell a few votes short in the House last year. The governor had been working the halls of the House office building at all hours to convince wavering delegates.
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