LGBT

Progress

Good news. Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley signed same-sex marriage into law today.

Moments ago, Gov. Martin O’Malley signed legislation legalizing same-sex marriage in Maryland, making the state the eighth in the nation to offer marriage equality to gay and lesbian couples. Opponents of the measure have already filed the necessary paperwork to start collecting signatures for a referendum to overturn the law. They will have until June 30 to collect 56,000 valid signatures in order to successfully put the issue up to a referendum in November. The law is set to take effect in January of 2013, well after a referendum would take place.

Even if the Republicans gather the necessary signatures for a referendum, it seems highly unlikely the law would be overturned during a general election wherein President Obama will be drawing people to the polls.

Meanwhile, same-sex marriage is still sitting in the veto bin in New Jersey where Governor Chris Christie continues to sit on his hands.