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Friday, February 17, 2012

Gay Marriage Maryland House of Delegates Passes Marriage Equality

Posted by Paul Constant on Fri, Feb 17, 2012 at 4:04 PM

Good news! This will almost certainly go to a referendum, but it's still a sign of progress:

After two days of contentious debate and the consideration of several amendments, the Maryland House of Delegates has passed marriage equality legislation with a vote of 71-67.

Never thought I'd say this, but thanks for your help, Dick Cheney.

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Sure, now that they no longer need to gin up the hatred of gays to turn out the rubes on election day...but Christie still finds the bigotry self-serving.

Nothing to see here, move on.

Posted by judybrowni on February 17, 2012 at 4:13 PM

Yay. And it sounds like they have the votes to get it passed in the Maryland Senate, with the governor all set to sign it. Washington and Maryland will be skipping down the referendum lane together. With any luck, Maine will also be voting on marriage equality rights this November and California will be voting to overturn Prop 8. NOM's budget is going to explode at this rate.

Posted by SeattleKim on February 17, 2012 at 4:14 PM

Good news but this was disappointing: Although both chambers of Maryland’s legislature are heavily Democratic, the bill proved a tough sell among African American lawmakers from the party, including many Prince George’s delegates, who cited opposition by churches and constituents in their districts.

Posted by Democrat1234 on February 17, 2012 at 4:18 PM

Thanks for posting! I didn't know, I think this is great!

Hmmmm, 1 down, 86,376 disagreements with Dick Cheney to go before we're exactly the same.

Posted by scratchmaster joe on February 17, 2012 at 4:29 PM

Not clear this will go to referendum - there was a late amendment here keeping the bill from going into effect before November, but it seems currently unknown if a similar amendment will make it into the Senate version. If not, it will be hardball indeed in the resolution committee.

Posted by PortervilleNerd on February 17, 2012 at 5:09 PM

"Never thought I'd say this, but thanks for your help, Dick Cheney."

And with that, Paul Constant burst into flames...

Posted by Cienna Madrid on February 17, 2012 at 5:32 PM

@3 I think that's to be expected. My understanding is that Prop 8 passed in California because Republicans and black people voted for it. Washington state is as reliably Democratic as California and a lot whiter. That bodes well for the coming gay marriage referendum in that state.

Posted by Ken Mehlman on February 17, 2012 at 5:37 PM

@7 Let's don't feed the race-baiting troll. Ignore ignore ignore.

Posted by Mason on February 17, 2012 at 5:42 PM

S'alright..

http://www.mamapop.com/wp-content/upload…

-- Dick Cheney

Posted by Supreme Ruler Of The Universe

on February 17, 2012 at 6:51 PM

@ 8 I am not trying to race bait I am just saying I think if any group should be for more civil rights maybe it should be black people, given the civil rights movement. That is all, where you got race baiting troll from I do not know.

Posted by Democrat1234 on February 17, 2012 at 6:54 PM

Why is Dan Savage so silent about marriage equality in Washington State? Suddenly cat has his tongue... so unusual for Dan.

Posted by Speak up, girl on February 17, 2012 at 7:22 PM

@8,

I'm assuming maybe that was a reference to that unregistered, anonymous weirdo who always comments on the morning news threads to ask why black on black crime is under-reported on slog. And you're absolutely right -- having lived in Maryland & DC for several years, I can attest to the fact that PG county is one of the most densely populated & fastest growing black communities in the country, spurned on largely by the gentrification of DC. They carry a ton of political influence and it'd be fantastic if the state dems could get them on board.

Posted by mikethehammer on February 19, 2012 at 12:04 AM