This morning, during an appearance on WTOP, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley (D) predicted that most state residents are “past” civil unions and are now in support of full marriage equality. O’Malley also reiterated his plan to sponsor a same-sex marriage bill in the upcoming legislative session, but refused to gauge the chances of success, saying only, “I think it should pass, I hope it passes”:
O’MALLEY: “I think with every day that goes by I think people become more comfortable with the notion, you know, that laws need to be protected equally in a pluralistic society. And we need to find a way to protect religious freedom. […] And sacraments should be left to churches and religious faiths, but a government of law needs to enforce rights and protect rights equally among all people.”
Listen:
Earlier this summer, a handful of LGBT organizations launched a new effort to bring marriage equality to Maryland modeled after New York’s successful coalition. The new campaign for same-sex marriage includes Equality Maryland, Progressive Maryland, the ACLU, the Human Rights Campaign, Freedom to Marry, Service Employees International Union, among others.
A Washington Post poll from May found that “46 percent overall favor legal same-sex marriage, 44 percent oppose it, and 10 percent have no opinion. Among registered voters, 48 percent are in favor and 43 percent are opposed.” [HT: Towleroad]
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