Governor O'Malley: “ . . . the people of our state are supportive of protecting religious freedom and human dignity"

From this posting by the New York Times' By FRANK BRUNI:

[. . .]

"Martin O’Malley, the Democratic governor of Maryland, said on the phone last night [Aug 1 2012], that he expected Marylanders would indeed validate [Maryland's Civil Marriage Protection law], which he not only signed but campaigned vigorously for." 

"All along O’Malley sagely framed the issue not only in terms of basic human rights but also in terms of family values: specifically, the legal safeguards afforded children of same-sex couples, whose status as 'married' would be a force for stability."

Governor O'Malley: 

“I believe that the people of our state are supportive of protecting religious freedom and human dignity and protecting every child’s home equally under the law.”

"A new poll of Maryland voters, who will get to decide in November whether to overrule recently signed legislation establishing same-sex marriage in the state, shows that 54 percent favor the law, while 40 percent oppose it. These findings, by Hart Research Associates, will be released publicly later today [. . .].

"I’ve been watching this issue for years now, and I’ve never seen the pro-marriage-equality forces as determined and organized as they are now."

"It’s a big moment for them. It’s a big moment for all of us who believe that it’s only just and only fair for the law to recognize fully the unions of two men or two women who have a loving commitment to each other and aren’t doing anybody else one iota of harm."

Source:
Good news for Gay Marriage in Maryland - NYTimes.com