Maryland marriage bill clears house committee

Details: Category: LGBT Issues; Published on Sunday, 06 March 2011 11:43; Written by L. Tacita; Hits: 398

A Maryland House Committee forward the Civil Marriage Protection act by a vote of 12-10 earlier this week, according to Patch.com. Maryland's governor has already promised to sign the bill should it make it to the desk.

Tiffany Alston did not show up to vote on the measure, but she has changed her support of the measure, citing pressure placed on her from her consitutients. She responded by adding an ammendment to the bill that would allow civil unions in Maryland.

The bill now must pass its way through the Maryland's higher house, where a few delegates are undecided or have changed their minds with religious beliefs typically cited for a politician's change of mind. If Maryland does pass the bill, it makes it more likely that similar laws can pass in neighboring states with similar demographics.

Same-sex marriages are legal in a few states currently and a recent bill passed in Hawaii brings the total of states allowing same-sex civil unions up to seven. Debate on the measure before the Maryland house floor may start as early as this week.