Yet another victory for equal marriage!

A bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland was approved by the state Senate, which advanced a measure that narrowly cleared the House of Delegates last week.

The final vote by the state Senate ended a yearlong drama in Annapolis over the legislation, and marked the first time an East Coast state south of the Mason-Dixon line has supported gay nuptials.

With the vote, the measure moves to Gov. Martin O’Malley (D), who has said he will sign it. [Washington Post, via Political Wire]

After O’Malley signs the bill in Maryland, eight states plus Washington, D.C. will allow equal marriage.

As always when I report on the spread of equal rights, my immediate next thought is shame that our own state is moving backwards. We were once leaders when it came to equality and civil rights. Now, while states around the country are extending equal rights to their citizens, conservatives want us to do just the opposite. That’s just not right. We should be among those states embracing families of all types and honoring their commitments.