Gay marriage could soon be legalized in Maryland if the public doesn't have it's say. The legislature gave its final OK Thursday to the law that is awaiting the expected signature of the Democrat governor.

The state Senate voted 25-22 for the law. The vote comes less than a week after the House of Delegates barely passed the measure. Democrats in both chambers supported the bill, Republicans did not.

Maryland will become the eighth state to allow gay marriage when Gov. Martin O'Malley – who sponsored the bill – signs the legislation.

Opponents, though, have vowed to bring the measure to a public referendum in November. They will need to gather at least 55,726 valid signatures of Maryland voters to put it on the ballot and can begin collecting names now that the bill has passed both chambers. Gay marriage has never passed a vote when the public was allowed to vote on it, and has only become law in states with activist judges and legislatures dominated by Democrats.

Senators rejected some amendments to the legislation Thursday. Proponents warned that amending the bill could kill it because gathering enough support for altered legislation in the House would be difficult.

Last year senators passed a similar measure by 25-21, but the bill died in the House after delegates rescinded their initial support citing concerns that it could violate religious liberties of churches and business owners who do not support same-sex unions. See Chick's SIN CITY.