State senators in Maryland voted 30-17 to allow domestic partnerships to couples regardless of sexual orientation in the state. This means if certain requirements are made to be deemed a committed couple, one can made medical or funeral arrangements for the other.

This ruling comes on in wake of complaints made by unwed partners who were denied life-or-death decision rights and medical privileges, like riding on an ambulance or visitation rights for partners on life support.

In other words, homosexual couples in Maryland are now spared of the agony of not seeing one another should something happen. A victory for gay rights, another step up the ladder to full equality.