It’s too early to know whether the Maryland General Assembly will pass a bill in coming weeks to allow same-sex couples to marry. But this much is clear: There isn’t much interest among lawmakers in compromising by allowing civil unions.
In a handful of states – including Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire – a parallel system of civil unions was adopted before full same-sex marriage rights were granted.
The governor of Illinois signed a civil unions bill last month, and one could land on the governor’s desk in Hawaii this week. In both cases, supporters say the embrace of civil unions reflected a larger comfort level among the public.
But in Maryland – where a high-profile hearing on same-sex marriage is scheduled Tuesday – there is no indication that things are headed in that direction.
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