by Isabel Paterson ‘12

Last year, a same-sex marriage bill narrowly passed the Maryland State Senate but fell short in the House of Delegates. On January 31, Governor Martin O’Malley again raised the topic of legalizing same-sex marriage in Maryland. “The very reason for our state’s founding was for religious freedom. At the heart of religious freedom is respect for the freedom of individual conscience,” O’Malley told the Senate Judicial Hearings Committee. A Washington Post poll, published the same day, showed that 50 percent of Maryland residents supported legalization of same-sex marriage, while 44 percent were opposed. This reflects the great support Maryland has towards passing this law. America is built on the idea that we treat everyone equally, and yet only six states, plus Washington DC, allow the right for all people to marry who they love, regardless of gender. The hypocrisy of inequality towards gay and lesbian couples needs to stop and Maryland can be part of that change. The General Assembly has been in session since January 11 and will adjourn on April 9. We live in a state that prides itself on being diverse and open to differences. There is no reason this bill should not get passed.