By BOB KECSKEMETY

Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley has jumped on board the same-sex marriage bandwagon when he announced that if he was presented with a bill allowing same-sex marriage in his state he would sign it. O’Malley told WTOP radio that though he still prefers civil unions over same-sex marriage in his state; he would sign a legislative bill making same-sex marriage legal. He also criticized the D.C. Catholic church for threatening to cancel its social service programs should same-sex marriage become law in Maryland.

Costa Rican Episcopalian bishops have put together guidelines to help protect the dignity of marriage and promote the common good. The message was signed by Archbishop Hugo Barrantes Urena, president of the Episcopal Conference of Costa Rica. He wrote: “As the Church, we see in marriage, which is the essential foundation of the family, a most important value, which must be defended from every threat that puts its solidity in danger. Marriage is not just any union between human persons. It was founded by the Creator, who has gifted it with a particular nature, of essential properties and undeniable ends.”

Tea Party Republican candidate, Ovide Lamontagne is gaining in the polls against Kelly Ayotte (R) for U.S. Sen. from New Hampshire. In their recent debate he not only supported an amendment to the U.S. Constitution banning same-sex marriage but he was also in favor of banning gays from adopting. Marriage for same-sex couples is currently permitted in New Hampshire.

The Members of the European Parliament, have called for a measure to ensure that gay couples in marriages and civil partnerships be recognized throughout the European Union. There are 27 members in the E.U. — 5 permit same-sex marriage, 11 have civil unions and registered partnerships, 11 have no recognition. Currently, a couple could be mar- ried in Spain, travel to Italy, have one person in the couple get into an accident requiring hospitalization and the partner would not be given marital visitation rights. The MEPs are not asking for legalization of same-sex marriage throughout the European Union, just the equal recognition of the marriages. Currently, same-sex marriage is permitted in Belgium, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.