Marriage Equality Coming to Maryland?

Out Maryland state senator Richard Madaleno said he is "guardedly optimistic" that the state legislature will pass a marriage equality bill in early 2011.

In an interview with Gay Politics, Madaleno put chances in the "six, seven, eight range" on a scale of one to 10 for the bill's passage in the next 90-day session from January to mid-April of next year.

"His optimism stems from a number of developments on Election Day 2010, some of which ran absolutely counter to national trends," reported Gay Politics. "In the Maryland Senate, Democrats actually expanded their majority to a 35-12
advantage over Republicans. And some Democrats who lost their seats did so in primary fights with more progressive challengers, many of whom vowed to be even stronger champions for marriage equality."

Maryland also increased its number of out gay lawmakers from four to seven.

Madaleno said he felt confident the senate could pass a vote, but it was more difficult to predict the outcome in the House of Delegates. Governor Martin O'Malley has promised to sign a bill if it reaches his desk.