SALISBURY, Md.- It is an historic moment for the state of Maryland, becoming, along with Maine, one of the first states in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage through a referendum. Question 6 passed Tuesday night, with 52 percent of voters in favor and 48 percent against. But it was a hard fought battle, and a close race up until the very end.
If you live in Maryland, you have probably seen the ads on both sides of Question 6 leading up to Election Day. The Maryland Marriage Alliance led the charge against the measure, with ads like this.
"If Question 6 passes, same-sex marriage could be taught in local Maryland schools, just as it was in Massachusetts," the ad states.
But supporters of gay marriage say that claim just isn't true. So, we contacted the Wicomico County school district to find out.
School officials tell us they set their own curriculums, and the law does not force them to teach the issue whatsoever.
Another fear with Question 6 -- Infringing on religion.
Supporters of the law argue those fears are baseless.
"This ballot measure 6 provides the most religious protection of any ballot measure regarding same-sex marriage in the country, because it does not require any clergy member or church to marry a gay or lesbian couple if it goes against their religious beliefs," explained Judge Dirk Selland, a Salisbury native.
With the passage of Question 6, same-sex marriage officially becomes legal in Maryland January 1, 2013.
