Maryland gay marriage supporters launch coalition

BALTIMORE - Supporters of gay marriage in Maryland have formed a coalition in hopes of boosting chances of passing a same-sex marriage bill next year.

Marylanders for Marriage Equality held a news conference Tuesday in Baltimore to announce the effort.

The group includes Progressive Maryland, a liberal lobbying group, and Equality Maryland, the state's largest gay civil rights group. It also includes labor organizations and the Human Rights Campaign, a national gay rights group, as well as the groups Catholics for Equality, the Maryland Black Family Alliance and Pride in Faith.

Supporters of gay marriage in Maryland are hoping passage of a measure in New York will help spark additional support in Maryland.

Earlier this year, gay marriage legislation passed the Maryland state Senate, but it stalled in the House of Delegates.