![Richardmadalenox180_0](https://www.advocate.com/media-library/richardmadalenox180-0.jpg?id=32717909&width=1200&height=1666)
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
At least 140 witnesses and many more spectators attended a marriage equality bill hearing that lasted into the evening Wednesday in the Maryland senate judicial proceedings committee.
The committee is expected to approve the bill and send it to the full senate for a vote before the end of the month. The measure needs 24 votes to pass the Democratic-controlled chamber and 29 votes to stop an anticipated filibuster.
According to The Washington Post, senate president Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. put the bill's chances of passing his chamber at 60 to 70% and said a vote could come next week.
"If the bill clears the Senate, then the House of Delegates, typically the more liberal chamber on social issues, would take up the issue, deciding whether Maryland should join the District and five states that allow same-sex marriage," reports the Post.
On Tuesday, testimony was evenly divided among witnesses for and against the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act including many speakers with a religious perspective, according to the Washington Blade. Among the witnesses for the opposition was Maggie Gallagher of the National Organization for Marriage, which is tied to the state's powerful Catholic lobby.
Out elected officials including Sen. Richard Madaleno testified in support of the bill, as did Sen. Allan Kittleman, the lone Republican senator to support the measure. The hearing lasted for more than seven hours.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
21+ steamy photos of Scotland’s finest gay men in Elska Glasgow
February 01 2024 10:07 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
Latest Stories
Record 1.2 million people show out for Cologne’s Pride parade
July 23 2024 10:51 AM
Here's how far-right activist Leonard Leo helped fund Bud Light boycott
July 23 2024 10:27 AM
Elon Musk’s comments about his trans daughter prove why she doesn’t speak to him
July 23 2024 9:16 AM
Nancy Pelosi endorses Kamala Harris for president
July 22 2024 4:07 PM
Charli XCX declares Kamala Harris IS brat & our next President's campaign agrees
July 22 2024 3:08 PM
Pete Buttigieg roasts JD Vance and his gay tech bro billionaire
July 22 2024 1:42 PM
The AIDs pandemic can be ended by 2030, but governments must act: report
July 22 2024 1:01 PM