Governor Martin O’Malley signed the gay marriage bill into law on Thursday, March 1, at 5 p.m. in the state capital, making Maryland the eighth state to allow same-sex marriage.

“We are one Maryland, and all of us at the end of the day want the same thing for our children. We want them to live in loving, caring, committed homes that are protected equally under the law,” O’Malley said, addressing the crowd at the signing ceremony.

Social studies teacher Robert Schick supports the bill. “I’m a big fan of the Declaration of Independence. I like the part about everyone being guaranteed the right to pursue happiness. I think the tide of public opinion is turning and people realize that everyone is entitled to their civil rights,” Schick said.

Sophomore Kaley Martin echoes these sentiments. “I’m for the bill because I believe that marriage should be for everyone,” Martin said.

Religion teacher Rachel Harkins, however, opposes the bill. “I am against the bill because I believe marriage is defined between one man and one woman. This bill seeks to redefine that traditional definition,” Harkins said.

Harkins explains that the bill merited discussion in her class. “I had one class where I had a student ask me about my views the day after the Senate passed the bill. I actually passed on two articles to the student to help explain what I believe,” Harkins said.

Same-sex marriages will not be legally performed in Maryland until January 2013, and supporters expect another battle this fall. Opponents are searching for the 55,000 signatures needed to place an anti-gay marriage referendum on the November ballot. If a referendum is placed on the ballot, Maryland voters decide the fate of gay marriage in Maryland.

“I think it will be put up for referendum at the next election,” Harkins said.

Senior Alex Burdeshaw is hopeful about the future of the bill. “I hope it’ll stay. I think it is a step in the right direction towards equal rights for everyone,” Burdeshaw said.

Schick sees the bill as part of a historical trend of the United States gradually accepting change. “I’m old enough to remember when it was a crime for a black person to marry a white person. I knew many people that would have fought tooth and nail to keep black people from marrying white people. Now the President of the United States is a product of a mixed marriage,” Schick said.

Adam Kuester is a News Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.