Maryland House Passes Marriage Equality for Same-Sex Couples

(Annapolis, February 17, 2012) - Today, the Maryland House voted to pass the marriage equality bill, overcoming a major barrier to same-sex couples being able to marry in the state. Lambda Legal urges the Senate to follow. The Governor is expected to sign the bill once it is passed by both chambers.

Lambda Legal Executive Director, Kevin Cathcart, made the following statement: 

"Yesterday, New Jersey's legislature voted for marriage equality and today, Maryland has embraced what a growing number of other states have learned - countless families are protected and no one is hurt when loving same-sex couples are permitted to marry.   

"Today we celebrate with the thousands of Marylanders who are one step closer to the day when they can marry in their own home state instead of traveling to do so. We congratulate our colleagues at Equality Maryland and other sister organizations who have worked tirelessly for this day. 

"Our clients, the Pipkin and Selby-Hayward families, testified in the House to show the legislature and the state why they need marriage equality to fully protect their families. Today, their voices were heard and their experiences honored. The legislature's vote to end discrimination in marriage for same-sex couples will make these families and the entire state much stronger."