Opponents of gay marriage rally in Annapolis

BRIAN WITTE

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Opponents of legalizing same-sex marriage in Maryland have held a rally in front of the Maryland State House in Annapolis.

A large crowd attended the rally Monday night, filling the Lawyer's Mall area by the governor's home.

Several speakers made reference to First Lady Katie O'Malley's comment last week that legislation to allow same-sex marriage failed last year because of "cowards" in the House of Delegates.

The first lady made the comment at an annual conference on gay rights in Baltimore on Thursday. She said she regretted the remarks in a statement on Friday.

Paul Soeffing, a 41-year-old Annapolis resident, held a sign at the rally that read, "Mrs. O'Malley, I am not a coward."

Gov. Martin O'Malley is scheduled to testify in favor of the bill on Tuesday.