Md. Marriage Opponents: We’ll Succeed in a Referendum  

Faced with a new marriage equality coalition and a governor who is backing such rights for same-sex couples, some gay-marriage opponents in Maryland say they are preparing for a voter referendum should a bill pass in next year's legislative session.

"I believe it has a good chance of passing," said Del. Pat McDonough of a gay marriage bill, according to The Washington Examiner. "If it does pass, it'll definitely end up in a voter referendum. Conservatives and religious people against gay marriage are going to show up to vote en masse."

In a Friday press conference, Gov. Martin O'Malley said of New York's legislative victory for marriage following the failed attempt to pass a bill earlier this year in Maryland, "I think every state tries to learn -- I think we all try to learn from one another. I'm sure there were things that they learned from our inability to get this done. And similarly we will learn from what they did."

Earlier this month, the newly formed group Marylanders for Marriage Equality, which includes the Human Rights Campaign, Freedom to Marry, and Equality Maryland, launched its effort to pass marriage legislation in the state.

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