Annapolis: The Maryland Senate voted Thursday evening to legalize same-sex marriage, the latest sign of growing national recognition of such unions among gay and lesbian couples. (At Right: Rejoicing among gay Marylanders.)

Gov. Martin O'Malley has pledged to sign the bill into law, which was approved last week by the House of Delegates. Said the Governor in a statement: "All children deserve the opportunity to live in a loving, caring, committed, and stable home, protected equally under the law," O'Malley said in a statement after the vote.

Die hard opponents will likely seek a court injunction, but it all goes well, Mayland gay people will be allowed to wed this summer, and the state will be the seventh or eight (depending on when Washington's gay marriage becomes effective) plus the District of Columbia where gay marriage is legal.

(In land area, Maryland is the 42nd state in size, the 19th in population, and the first in median income -$69.272.00).