Maryland voters say yes to same-sex marriage

The referendum would allow gay and lesbian couples to apply for and obtain a marriage license, though clergy would not have to perform marriage ceremonies if it violated their religious beliefs. Maryland is one of four states in which same-sex marriage was on the ballot. Voters in Maine, Minnesota and Washington state also sounded off on the legality of same-sex marriage in their jurisdictions.

Maryland would not be the first state to legalize gay marriage. The District of Columbia and six states -- Connecticut, Massachusetts, Iowa, New York, New Hampshire and Vermont -- have already legalized gay marriage. However, Maryland -- and the other three states with same-sex marriage on the ballot -- would be the first in which same-sex marriage was decided by public vote. In earlier states, same-sex marriage was legalized by court order or by legislation.

Not only has the initiative landed the support of Maryland officials such as Gov. Martin O’Malley (D), but it’s also received endorsements from leaders in other parts of the country, such as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) who told Maryland voters, “I believe Maryland will become the first state in the nation to affirm marriage equality at the ballot box.”

Those on both sides of the referendum have courted Black American voters.

NAACP Chairman Emeritus Julian Bond made an advertisement that ran in Maryland in support of gay marriage, saying, “I know a little something about fighting for what’s right and just. Maryland’s gay and lesbian families share the same values and they should share the right to marry.” On the other side of the issue, the Maryland Marriage Alliance, which opposed the law, ran an advertisement featuring Alveda King, the niece of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., asking Maryland voters to defeat the measure.

Tamara E. Holmes is a Washington, D.C.-based journalist who writes frequently about health and wellness.