ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)–Lawmakers are on the verge of a historic decision—whether or not to allow same-sex marriages in Maryland.

Andrea Fujii explains a move made Thursday night could secure the bill’s passage.

There are many steps to legalizing gay marriage, but Thursday’s committee vote was the closest Maryland has ever been to allowing a gay couple to get married.

“If we’d gotten married, we could have made a life together,” said Lisa Polyak.

In their 30 years together, Lisa Polyak and Gita Deane have faced struggles with Deane’s immigration, raising their two daughters and healthcare.

“Every day we lack the respect that other families have because they are viewed as a unit that’s connected to each other,” said Deane, gay marriage advocate.

A gay marriage bill has now moved out of committee. That’s the furthest any attempt has gone in the Maryland legislature.

“This is a really, really wonderful day,” Deane said.

“At the end of the day, same-sex couples adopt children. And are they families or are they not families? I think they are,” said James Brochin, Baltimore County (D).

An amendment also passed in the committee room that says any private or religious organization can refuse to participate in a gay marriage or the celebration of one.

“I tried to bring as many people in with my amendment as possible,” said Jamie Raskin, Montgomery County (D).

Gay rights advocates have been rallying for Senate and delegate votes all session, slowly gaining a majority in the Senate.

“Now we have 24 brave souls who are willing to give our family the same legal protection that they have access to,” Polyak said.

If this passes both houses, Maryland voters would decide the issue on a referendum vote. Opponents believe the referendum would show that Marylanders don’t want this.

“You saw it happen in Maine,” said Christopher Shank, Washington County(R). “You saw it happen in California and I know it would happen here in Maryland.”

“God’s word for a Christian is the same today and every day,” said State Sen. Nancy Jacobs, Cecil and Harford counties (R). “Public opinion may change.”

The bill did clear the Senate Judicial Proceedings committee by a vote of 7-4. As you can imagine it will be a heated debate when the bill goes to the Maryland Senate. If it clears there, it will then go to the House, and then to the governor’s desk. Governor O’Malley says he will sign it.