Last night in Annapolis, history was made. And the Montgomery County Young Dems helped make it happen.

For months, Young Dems have been making phone calls all over the state, encouraging people to contact their electeds and vote for equal rights for GLBT Marylanders. We’ve been lobbying in Annapolis, and we campaigned to elect officials who were supporters in the first place.

It all paid off last night, when 70 Democrats and 2 Republicans voted to pass the Civil Marriage Protection Act HB 438. The bill moves now to the Senate, where it is fully expected to pass on to Governor O’Malley, a vocal and active supporter.

The MCYD are especially happy for the 8 openly gay delegates and senator who will now be able to have their relationships officially recognized in the state of Maryland, if they wish, including Montgomery County’s own Bonnie Cullison, Anne Kaiser, Rich Madaleno, and Heather Mizeur.

The fight isn’t over: there will almost certainly be a referendum in November. Young Dems can play a crucial role in helping register our peers to vote and get them out for early voting and on November 6th.