Maryland State Bar endorses marriage equality

The Maryland State Bar Association has announced its endorsement of a same-sex marriage bill sponsored by Democratic Gov. Martin O’Malley.

“I could not be prouder of our endorsement, which while protective of religious sensibilities and prerogatives, clearly and emphatically extends those civil rights embodied in our fundamental belief that ‘all men are created equal’ — and not simply ‘all heterosexual persons are created equal’ — to our entire citizenry,” said Maryland State Bar Association President Henry E. Dugan Jr. in a statement.

The bill is scheduled for a formal hearing before the Senate on Tuesday.

The Senate passed marriage legislation last year, but the the Maryland House of Delegates didn’t have enough votes to pass the measure.