Same-sex marriage moves forward in Maryland, vetoed in New Jersey

February 20, 2012

The lower house of the Maryland legislature approved a bill to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages. The state senate plans to act quickly on the measure, and is expected to add its approval this week, putting the bill on the desk of Governor Martin O’Malley. The governor, who is Catholic, has indicated that he supports the bill, despite the warnings of Cardinal Edwin O’Brien that his stance is incompatible with his faith. His signature would make Maryland the 8th US state to legalize same-sex marriage.

In New Jersey, on the other hand, Governor Chris Christie carried out his threat to veto a similar bill. Christie has said that any bid to re-define the institution of marriage should be settled by the state’s voters in a public referendum. “This is the only path to amend our State Constitution and the best way to resolve the issue of same-sex marriage in our state,’’ he said.

In the Maryland debate, former US Vice President Dick Cheney reportedly contacted lawmakers to urge passage of the bill, which passed the House by a narrow margin.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Gay marriage advances in Maryland, vetoed in New Jersey (Reuters)
• N.J. governor vetoes gay marriage bill (AP)
• Md. Senate to move ‘quickly’ on same-sex marriage (Washington Post)
• Dick Cheney lobbied for Maryland gay marriage bill: report (New York Daily News)