great news. imo, the homophobic, hateful speech that is allowed each time same sex marriage comes up for debate is influencing more people to support gay marriage and civil unions.

washingtonpost.com

In Maryland, several formerly undecided lawmakers have listened to the arguments of opponents - and recoiled at the vitriol they heard. State Sen. James Brochin, a Baltimore County Democrat who previously backed same-sex civil unions but not marriage, changed his mind after taking in what he called the “appalling” views of opponents at a Senate hearing. “Witness after witness demonized homosexuals, vilified the gay community and described gays and lesbians as pedophiles,” he said in a statement, adding: “For me, the transition to supporting marriage has not been an easy one. But the uncertainty, fear, and second-class status that gays and lesbians have to put up with is far worse and clearly must come to an end.”