As the electoral votes rolled in last night, inevitably falling in favor of another four years with President Barack Obama, four key states had another reason to celebrate.
Last night, Maine became the first state to approve marriage equality via ballot vote. The second time proved to be a charm for the Pine Tree state, as it reversed the 2009 referendum decision against gay marriage.
Voters in Maryland, whose governor signed the bill into law last March only to have it turned over to the ballot, had the final say last night when they voted to approve the same-sex marriage law. “Thank you for what you have done in this noble battle to move Maryland forward,” O’Malley said to cheers as he spoke at the results party in Baltimore. Watch his full speech below. In a similar scenario, voters in Washington are still waiting for the outcome of their votes, with the majority currently standing for equality.
Meanwhile in Minnesota, voters said no to a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, which would concrete the already-in-effect law against it.
These victories are momentous in our fight for equality and put hope in our community that though we have a long way to go, we will get there.
Brittny Drye is the senior editor of Equally Wed, the nation’s premier online magazine for gay and lesbian weddings and honeymoons. Follow her @BrittnyDrye.
