On Thursday, the Senate's Judicial Proceedings Committee will hold a hearing on the bill, which has 49 co-sponsors, as well as opposing legislation that would amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage. The House Judiciary Committee hearing on the issue is scheduled for Feb. 28.
The bill that would legalize same-sex marriage appears to have a better chance of passage in the House of Delegates than in the more conservative Senate, though it remains unclear if it will even make it out of committee.
"It may well pass the House," said Republican Sen. Andy Harris, a same-sex marriage opponent who represents Baltimore and Harford counties and is running for Congress. "But in the Senate, there will be enough opposition to stop the bill. ... I think we have the number of votes, if not to defeat it on a straight up-and-down vote, certainly to defeat it in a filibuster."
But Sen. Jamie Raskin, a Montgomery County Democrat who backs legalizing same-sex marriage, was cautiously optimistic. "I think our chances are good, but not great," he said. "I think it will take a sustained mobilization to change some people's hearts and minds."
Nationally, eyes are on Maryland to see how the marriage debate unfolds, some advocates say.
"Whatever happens here will have key implications for the nation, the state and for the issue in general," Cohen said.
New York, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Vermont are considering similar legislation. Court cases are pending in Iowa, Connecticut and California.
Massachusetts is the only state that allows same-sex marriage. Nine other states offer civil unions or domestic partnerships.
In the event the same-sex marriage bill fails, its supporters are hoping to secure some marriage rights for gay and lesbian constituents in a piecemeal fashion. Proposed legislation would give same-sex couples rights to property ownership, inheritance and medical decisions. Gay marriage advocates have also introduced a bill that would define marriage as a religious institution and create a separate institution, domestic partnerships, that is open to everyone.
Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat, has said that he supports civil unions.
Same-sex marriage supporters and opponents say that if they don't get what they want, they'll return to the issue in the next session, or the session after that.
"I think that even if it doesn't pass, it's a step along the way. Sometimes it takes a while for people to be able to see things in context," Oliver said.
Cohen was equally adamant.
"The issue, we know, is not going away. If it's not front and center this year, it might be front and center next year," said Cohen. "We have to simply start momentum and continue momentum."
rona.marech@baltsun.com
