Maryland likely will join voters in Washington and Maine in deciding in November whether to legalize gay “marriage.” Meanwhile Minnesota voters (November) and North Carolinians (May) will vote this year on whether to define marriage as between a man and a woman in their respective state constitutions.
The Maryland House was considered to be the biggest hurdle for the bill. Last year Democratic leaders pulled it from the House floor because it lacked the necessary votes.
Democrats control both chambers, but the bill had a tough climb in the House because of opposition from African American members who were pressured by black church leaders.