WASHINGTON, DC - Later today, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley will sign the state's marriage equality legislation, making Maryland the eighth state to grant gay and lesbian couples the right to marry. Ahead of the historic victory, Mary Kay Henry, International President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) issued the following statement:

Later today, Maryland will become the eighth state to grant gay and lesbian couples marriage equality - a bold and important step, especially at a moment when the rights of LGBT people are under legislative attack in Minnesota, New Jersey, North Carolina and elsewhere. This victory was about family, about community and about justice.

"Just like any battle for equality -- be it women's suffrage, immigrant justice, civil rights or otherwise -- victory will be achieved through a series of difficult, honest conversations that have the power to change hearts and minds. In Maryland, we are reminded that there is growing momentum for equality in this country. And in Maryland, we are reassured that those legislators who chose to stand in the way of equality have also chosen to stand on the wrong-side of history.

"The courage of legislators in Maryland, Washington, New York and elsewhere who voted to legalize same-sex marriage remind us that we cannot live up to our promise as a nation until we extend equal rights to all. And they remind us that as Americans, the continued dream of equality is our birthright, our heritage and our promise.

"I want to acknowledge the incredible commitment of our SEIU brothers and sisters at 1199SEIU who played a critical role organizing Marylanders to stand up for equality as well as SEIU 32BJ and SEIU Local 500 in Maryland who have championed this fight from the start. Their collective leadership speaks to the deep-seated commitment of SEIU members across this country to achieving equality for all LGBT people. From the union's endorsement of same-sex marriage in 2004 to winning contracts that extend healthcare coverage to same-sex partners and winning parity for domestic partners in family leave policies -- the rights of LGBT people have long been an important part of SEIU's work."

With 2.1 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy. www.seiu.org"

###