Maryland: Marriage Equality headed to Senate this week

The issue of marriage equality heads to the Maryland State Senate this week, as the Judicial Hearings Committee takes up a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland.

Last week the movement picked up steam as the leading Republican Senator Allan Kittleman said he would support the bill. He had originally meant to submit his own bill for Civil Unions but found no support there. In supporting marriage equality, he stepped down from the position of Minority Leader in the state senate.

At present count, there are 20 state senators who have indicated they will vote to support marriage equality. 6 Democratic senators have not indicated where they stand just yet.

Among the undecideds, Sen. Joan Carter Conway said she is willing to be the 24th vote for the bill but does not want to vote for it if it is going to fail. Sen. Ulysses Currie put his chances of voting for the bill at 40 percent. And Sen. James Rosapepe said he will announce his intentions before the bill reaches the floor.

Anyone who lives in the following districts should call their state senator and let them you know you want to see equality in the state of Maryland.

Senators who said in interviews that they are undecided (6):
Sen. John C. Astle (D-Anne Arundel)
Sen. Joan Carter Conway (D-Baltimore)
Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-Prince George's)
Sen. Edward J. Kasemeyer (D-Baltimore County)
Sen. Katherine A. Klausmeier (D-Baltimore County)
Sen. James C. Rosapepe (D-Prince George's)