ANNAPOLIS, Md., Feb. 23 (UPI) -- The Maryland Senate Thursday approved a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in the state, sending the measure to the governor's desk for his signature.
The Senate voted 25-22 in favor of the bill, sponsored by Gov, Martin O'Malley, who has said he will sign it. The House of Delegates has already passed the measure.
There is some question whether the legislation will take effect, The Baltimore Sun reported, since opponents are expected to succeed in getting the matter on the ballot in November. As written, the law would allow same-sex marriage in Maryland in January 2013.
Maryland would be the eighth state to allow same-sex marriage.
"This has been a difficult issue for many people," O'Malley said after the vote. "But as one Maryland we came together around the principal of human dignity. … It does feel good to have this issue resolved."
U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. -- a Baltimore native -- called the state Senate vote "an extraordinary victory."
Senate Republican leader E.J. Pipkin promised a "robust referendum effort."
