Maryland is poised to become the sixth state to recognize same-sex marriage as proponents say they believe they have enough support to pass such a measure in the upcoming legislative session.
Sen. Allan Kittleman told CNN that he wants to grant gay couples all the rights afforded to straight married couples under Maryland law without the stigma of religion.
UPDATE 2/20/11: Poll shows Maryland voters support traditional marriage by huge margin
UPDATE 2/17/11: 'Marriage' bill sails through Senate committee, full passage expected
UPDATE 2/8/11: Hundreds crowd Senate for hearing on same-sex marriage
-- From "Md. lawmakers' agenda includes budget cuts, gay marriage" by John Wagner, Washington Post Staff Writer 1/6/11
[The] prospects for passage of a same-sex marriage bill have greatly improved since the Nov. 2 elections.
A Democratic pickup of two seats and a shift in committee memberships have changed the dynamic in the Senate, where same-sex marriage bills have stalled in the past.
"This has truly been a transformative election on this issue," said Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr. (D-Montgomery), an openly gay lawmaker who has sponsored same-sex marriage legislation and said he plans to push for passage this session. "I could not have hoped for a better result," he said. "You can see a real path to enacting this legislation."
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From "Maryland set to expand gay rights, same-sex marriage" by Evan Glass, CNN congressional producer 1/12/11
The expansion of gay rights appears to have gained significant traction as Maryland's General Assembly begins its 90-day session Wednesday. Not only are Democrats optimistic about their chances of approving same-sex marriage, but a leading Republican, sensing momentum on the issue, has instead countered with a proposal to grant civil unions to gay couples.
Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley has publicly stated that he would sign a marriage bill into law. Maryland then would join Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington, D.C., in sanctioning same-sex marriages.
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