Maryland Senate pushes same-sex marriage forward

The Maryland Senate gave final approval to a marriage equality bill last night, bringing Maryland closer to joining seven other states and the District of Columbia in allowing same-sex couples to marry.

In his speech on the Senate floor, openly gay State Sen. Richard Madaleno explained the value of the legislation to him and his family, saying, "It is the marriage license that symbolizes the commitment. It makes it worthwhile. I want that marriage license in the state of Maryland."

"The Maryland legislature has approved marriage equality after a Senate vote of 25-22. The House passed the bill last Friday.

With Governor Martin O'Malley's signature, Maryland will become the eighth state to legalize same-sex marriage."

The victory for LGBT advocates could be tested by a statewide referendum on the issue this November; if voters approve the legislation, couples could begin marrying in January. Gov. Martin O'Malley, who strongly supported the bill, said he will campaign hard to retain the law if opponents are able to gather the signatures required to put the issue on the ballot.