Maryland Delegate Arora Now Says He Will Support Same Sex Marriage Bill But Wants Voters To Have “Direct Say”

Maryland Delegate Sam Arora, whose wavering on the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protections Act threatened to derail passage of the bill, saying he would vote to support same sex marriage in committee but would not commit to doing so if it moves along toward final passage, has announced his decision to vote yes on the floor, the Baltimore Sun reports. Arora, a new Montgomery County Democrat, and co-sponsor of the bill, announced his plans on his Web site, and by extension offering an explanation. "As the vote drew nearer, I wrestled with this issue in a way I never had before, which led me to realize that I had some concerns about the bill," he said. "While I personally believe that Maryland should extend civil rights to same-sex couples through civil unions, I have come to the conclusion that this issue has such impact on the people of Maryland that they should have a direct say." There are indications pointing to a possible committee vote today. Judiciary Chairman Joseph F. Vallario Jr. said the same-sex marriage bill is "on the list" to be voted today, adding "but it depends if anybody's sick." (Delegate Jill Carter -- who originally withheld her vote to draw attention to other issues -- was out sick yesterday, and another delegate also went home feeling ill.)