Maryland moves closer to marriage equality bill

A state House committee narrowly backed legislation to give same-sex couples in Maryland the same full marriage rights as heterosexuals. The 12-10 vote by the House Judiciary sends the bill, which already has been approved by the state Senate, to the full House of Delegates, which could vote on the measure next week. Gov. Martin O’Malley has said he would sign the measure if it passes. Morgan Meneses-Sheets, executive director for Equality Maryland, an advocacy group for gay and lesbian Marylanders, described the committee vote as an important step forward while acknowledging the vote could be close in the full House. “It’s not a done deal, so we’re just going to keep working,” Meneses-Sheets said.

[via BostonHerald.com]