There have been several diaries tracking a bill through the Maryland legislature which would provide marriage equality for all couples, regardless of gender. JPMassar's last update is here.
The Good News:
Let's talk about the good above the fold. Today's news does not change the count which currently stands at 23, possibly 24 of the 47 Senators. As you can see, 24 would be a majority, so we are still close (if not there). The full list is below at the end. Even with today's announcement there are still two additional Democratic Senators who have not yet declared their position. It would be great if they did so, as that would help seal the deal.
The Bad News:
Democratic Senator Ulysses Currie is now a "no" vote. He said:
"It might have a lot to do with my background, coming up in the South, coming up through the churches," Currie, the son of a North Carolina sharecropper, said in an interview. "That has much to do with it as anything."
I'm sorry, Senator, but WTF? First off, if you are going to vote against equality, at least give us the courtesy of explaining your reasonings. Don't blame it on some vague notion of your background. I want specifics. You are in a position to vote on whether people are treated fairly and equally - you owe them an explaination.
Secondly, you would think coming up in the South, Senator Currie would be well versed in what it is like when people are treated unequally or unfairly. While the two are not 100% the same, the overarching themes are. Inequality, prevasive as it is (sadly), has no place in our American society. Does the pledge not end with "liberty and justice for all"? Or does liberty and justice not include sharing your life with the person you love, regardless of gender?
I will give some credit, where credit is due. Sentator Ulysses confirmed he would not support a fillibuster. At least he recognizes it is important to allow this measure to come up for a vote, even if he does not personally support it. I sincerely hope the other Democratic no votes (and there are quite a few) believe the same thing.
The Current Vote Count
Bill sponsors and co-sponsors (18):
Sen. William C. Ferguson (D-Baltimore)
Sen. Jennie M. Forehand (D-Montgomery)
Sen. Brian E. Frosh (D-Montgomery)
Sen. Robert J. Garagiola (D-Mongtomery)
Sen. Lisa A. Gladden (D-Baltimore)
Sen. Verna L. Jones-Rodwell (D-Baltimore)
Sen. Dolores G. Kelley (D-Baltimore County)
Sen. Nancy J. King (D-Montgomery)
Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr. (D-Montgomery)
Sen. Roger Manno (D-Montgomery)
Sen. Nathaniel J. McFadden (D-Baltimore)
Sen. Karen S. Montgomery (D-Montgomery)
Sen. Paul G. Pinsky (D-Prince George's)
Sen. Catherine E. Pugh (D-Baltimore)
Sen. Victor R. Ramirez (D-Prince George's)
Sen. Jamie B. Raskin (D-Montgomery)
Sen. Ronald N. Young (D-Frederick)
Sen. Robert A. Zirkin (D-Baltimore County)
Others who have publicly committed to vote for the bill (6):
Sen. James Brochin (D-Baltimore County)
Sen. Joan Carter Conway (D-Baltimore)*
Sen. Edward J. Kasemeyer (D-Baltimore County)
Sen. Allan H. Kittleman (R-Howard)
Sen. Katherine A. Klausmeier (D-Baltimore County)
Sen. James N. Robey (D-Howard)
Senators who said in interviews that they are undecided (2):
Sen. John C. Astle (D-Anne Arundel)
Sen. James C. Rosapepe (D-Prince George's)
Senators who have indicated they oppose the bill (21):
Sen. Joanne C. Benson (D-Prince George's)
Sen. David R. Brinkley (R-Frederick)
Sen. Richard E. Colburn (R-Dorchester)
Sen. Ulysses Currie (D-Prince George's)
Sen. James E. DeGrange Sr. (D-Anne Arundel)
Sen. Roy P. Dyson (St. Mary's)
Sen. George C. Edwards (R-Garrett)
Sen. Joseph M. Getty (R-Carroll)
Sen. Barry Glassman (R-Harford)
Sen. Nancy Jacobs (R-Cecil)
Sen. J.B. Jennings (R-Baltimore County)
Sen. James N. Mathias Jr. (D-Worcester)
Sen. Thomas M. Middleton (D-Charles)
Sen. Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert)
Sen. C. Anthony Muse (D-Prince George's)
Sen. Douglas J.J. Peters (D-Prince George's)
Sen. E.J. Pipkin (R-Queen Anne's)
Sen. Edward R. Reilly (R-Anne Arundel)
Sen. Christopher B. Shank (R-Washington)
Sen. Brian W. Simonaire (R-Anne Arundel)
Sen. Norman R. Stone Jr. (D-Baltimore County)
* Conway says she will not vote for the bill if she believes it will fail.
Contact Your Senator Today!
Use this link to contact your Senator and ask him or her to support marriage equality or to thank him or her for supporting it (positive reinforcement is good).