It looks like Maryland is going to be the next state to offer full marriage equality for its citizens.

Same-sex marriage bill picks up new supporter

Baltimore County Sen. James Brochin will support legalizing gay marriage if, as expected, his attempt to change the contentious legislation into a civil unions bill fails.

Brochin, a Democrat, said his position changed after listened to a seven hour hearing in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. He said he felt "appalled and disgusted" by the "hate and venom" offered by opponents of the same-sex marriage bill.

Read more: http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/lo ... ks_up.html

I was curious about the "hate and venom" referred to, so I found a link to an audio recording of the entire 7-hour hearing here. It is under the Judicial Proceedings Committee for February 8.

I must admit, I haven't had the stomach or the patience to listen to it all. But be prepared for some genuine sleaze from a lawyer for the Alliance Defense Fund. His disingenuous sophistry gets him laughed at more than once, which almost makes the listen bearable.