Let’s start with the “boo” so we can end on a positive note.
CHEYENNE-The Wyoming Senate narrowly voted Friday to stop recognition of same-sex marriages and civil unions from outside the state.
House Bill 74 passed 16-14 after tagging on a last-second amendment guaranteeing out-of-state couples in civil unions access to Wyoming courts.
Because of the amendment, the bill will now head back to the House to approve the changes. The House passed the legislation late last month 32-27.
Supporters of the bill, House Bill 74, said the legislation is needed to resolve a conflict in Wyoming law, which defines marriage as a contract “between a male and a female person” but also recognizes any valid marriage performed outside the state.
But on the other hand, in Maryland:
A Maryland state Senate committee approved legislation allowing same-sex marriage Thursday afternoon, allowing the bill to move to the full Senate floor for a vote.
The Judicial Proceedings Committee passed the legislation in a 7-4 vote.
Already, gay rights activists are rallying state senators in order to gain the 24 votes needed to pass the same-sex legislation in the Senate and move it to the House of Delegates.
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert) predicted that the bill will pass, although with a close vote, in the Senate.
[…]
Supporters of the bill believe if it makes it to the House, state delegates will approve the legislation and pass it on to Gov. Martin O’Malley.
O’Malley has pledged to sign the same-sex marriage bill into law.
Fingers crossed!
