Maryland Senate Passes Marriage Equality Bill

The Maryland state senate Thursday voted 25-21 to approve the Civil Marriage Protection Act, a bill that permits gay and lesbian couples to get married.

The bill now moves on to the House of Delegates. The House is expected to begin debates on legislation on Friday.

After being passed in the House, Maryland’s governor, Gov. Martin O’Malley, will have to sign the bill into law. O’Malley has promised that he will sign the legislation, reports The Advocate.

If codified, the bill would make Maryland the sixth state, along with the District of Columbia, to allow committed and loving same-sex couples to get married.

GLAAD was on the ground to help couples share their stories with the media and will continue to monitor developments in the state’s legislature. GLAAD calls on the media to continue to tell the stories of committed gay and lesbian couples, and the importance of marriage equality.