MD Senate passes gay marriage

[Stinky The Clown]

This was thought to be the hardest part for the bill. Still has to pass the House, but that's expected.

Governor O'Malley said he'll sign it.

Then it goes to the voters at the next election.

[Ken Burch]

1. Hear, Hear!

[NMDemDist2]

2. YAY!!!

I feel guilty I just removed my rainbow flag sigline....

[Shagbark Hickory]

3. Oh so it has to go to the voters first? The rights of 2% of the populous hinges on the mood

of the other 98%?

[Pacifist Patriot]

4. That bothers me too. Marriage equality shouldn't be a popularity contest.

Then again, I think it's a simple matter of equal protection under the law. Silly me.

[Matariki]

6. A lot more than 2%. But, yeah - what you said.

[Stinky The Clown]

7. More like 10 or 15 . . . . . but I get your point.

I think the voters will accept it.

[Shagbark Hickory]

9. REALLY?! 10 or 15 people out of 100 are gay??

[FreeState]

10. No - only if they get enough signatures to put it on the ballot

http://somd.com/news/headlines/2011/13310.shtml

Opponents have vowed to take the issue to the voters in a referendum. Several senators mentioned that the bill would be defeated in a Maryland referendum, just as it has been in California and Maine.

"I guarantee to the people of the state of Maryland that feel strongly about this issue that you will see it again. And you will see it at the ballot box," said Jacobs.

Sen. Jamie Raskin, D-Montgomery, supporter and floor leader for the debate, said that if the issue goes to referendum, the bill will win approval.

"We'll run it like a campaign and be the first state in America where same-sex marriage wins on the ballot," said Raskin.

[hootinholler]

11. It will go to the ballot

Because the talibornagain have enough support to get it there when it passes. The ballot will be to reverse the bill and we will smack it down.

-Hoot

[madinmaryland]

5. Thanks, Stinky. I heard it wasn't going to happen until later this evening.

Looks like a done deal!

[Stinky The Clown]

8. The Senate voted just before the evening nooz hour

It was a "breaking" story on WJZ 6 o'clock.