Maryland’s LGBTQ communities cautiously optimistic as Congress passes same-sex marriage act

The possibility of having same-sex marriage rights ripped away has been weighing heavily on the mind of Myoshi Smith — and her clients. “This has definitely been a huge fear of mine,” said Smith, a pansexual relationship enhancement specialist based in Baltimore’s Pigtown community. “I work with 40% to 50% of my clients who consider themselves to be queer. There’s been a lot of raised anxiety and fear about their rights being taken away.” Same-sex couples and advocates in the Baltimore area felt a sense of relief Thursday when the U.S. House of Representatives voted 258 to 169 to pass legislation to protect both same-sex marriage and interracial marriage.