Maryland's On Its Way to Full Equality

SB 116 the marriage equality bill in Maryland passed through the Senate Judiciary Proceedings Committee with a 7-4 vote this week, and it's looking like it's very likely to pass the Senate too. This is amazing news. My own Senator had been flip flopping and wouldn't commit. He never met with us when we lobbied in Annapolis. Last Friday, I emailed him early in the morning after I woke up with Noah. I sent him an email asking for an in person one-on-one constituent meeting, and if he refused, I told Ash I would run against him in the next Senate race. I'm serious. Anyway, in the email I included the following, "I am a stay-at-home mom so I have unlimited availability to come meet with you. Please let me know a time that is convenient for you, and I will be there. I may have my young son with me."

A few hours later, I had an email from his assistant asking me to call her in the office right away. She let me know that a vote was expected for this week, and that the Senator (since he wasn't on the Judiciary Committee) wouldn't be meeting with constituents until the bill came out of that committee. Then she told me if he was still undecided at that point she would schedule a meeting with me. I love that she knows me by voice and I love that they respond to me.

Turns out I don't need that meeting because on Monday he announced that he would indeed vote for the bill when it comes to the floor of the Senate. And now that the bill passed the committee it looks like that will happen. As soon as he made his announcement I emailed my thank you for supporting this bill email. Looks like some of these guys listen to their constituents. The good news is even if we have to vote on a referendum in 2012 on whether or not to uphold legislators decisions on this issue, a majority of Marylanders support equality and want to make things fair for all of their neighbors, friends, coworkers, church friends, etc.

Love is going to prevail eventually, so why not get it going now?