FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | February 23, 2012

NCLR Applauds Maryland Marriage Equality Vote

Statement by NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq.

(Annapolis, MD, February 23, 2012)—Today, the Maryland Senate voted 25 to 22 to recognize full marriage rights for same-sex couples. The Maryland House of Delegates approved the measure last Friday by a vote of 72 to 67. Gov. Martin O’Malley, the bill’s sponsor, has already committed to signing the bill into law. Maryland will become the 11th jurisdiction in the country in which same-sex couples can marry when the law goes into effect on January 1, 2013. Opponents have pledged to try to take away the right to marry by putting the new law up for a popular vote before it takes effect.

Maryland joins seven other states, Washington D.C., and two tribal nations that no longer discriminate against same-sex couples in marriage.

Statement by NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell, Esq.:

“Today, Marylanders won a key victory in the quest for equality under the law for same-sex couples and their children. Enormous thanks are due to Governor O’Malley, our legislative champions in the House and Senate, and all those who came forward to explain why discrimination against families in Maryland’s marriage law is just plain wrong. This fight is not yet over in the Free State, but today, we celebrate this fantastic achievement.”

The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education.
www.nclrights.org.