EQUAL MEANS EQUAL and EVERYONE MEANS EVERYONE: Maryland Senate Passes Marriage Equality Bill

Sen. Bryan Simonaire (R) even read the full text of the children’s book King and King on the floor, expressing concern that schools will teach that same-sex couples exist — one of many “filibusters” that delayed the vote.

¨Today, the Maryland Senate passed marriage equality legislation with a vote of 25-22. Opponents proposed numerous amendments in an attempt to derail the bill, including several that failed in the House last week. Sen. Bryan Simonaire (R) even read the full text of the children’s book King & King on the floor, expressing concern that schools will teach that same-sex couples exist — one of many “filibusters” that delayed the vote. All the proposed amendments failed, which means the passed bill now proceeds to Gov. Martin O’Malley (D), who has promised to sign it. The law is set to take effect January 1, 2013, but will likely be challenged in a referendum before then...¨ HERE

·  Thanks to Think Progress, sidebar
·  Thanks to Governor Martin O’Malley (D)