O’Malley introduces new version of marriage bill {maryland}

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2012/01/24/omalley-introduces-same-sex-marriage-bill/

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) on Monday night introduced a revised version of a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage, taking the lead role in urging the state’s General Assembly to approve the measure.

O’Malley told reporters at a briefing on Monday that the revised bill would make religious protections “a little clearer” than what they had been in last year’s bill, according to the Baltimore Sun.

Sources familiar with the governor’s office have said O’Malley would likely follow the path of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who took charge of that state’s same-sex marriage bill and negotiated with skeptical Republicans to garner enough votes to win its approval last year.

Cuomo reportedly persuaded LGBT advocates to accept new language in the New York bill that allowed greater exemptions for religious organizations and businesses that were reluctant to provide accommodations or services for same-sex marriage ceremonies, such as catering facilities.