ANNAPOLIS, Md. (CBSDC/AP) Hours after opponents of gay marriage rallied in front of the Maryland State House, Governor Martin O’Malley testified in favor of a bill that would legalize gay marriage in Maryland.

Standing before the Senate Judicial Proceeding Committee today, Gov. O’Malley told senators that children of same sex couples should be able to enjoy the same protections under law as those of under hetrosexual couples.

Last night, a large crowd gathered outside the governor’s house to oppose Gov. O’Malleys support of the bill. Maryland’s First Lady, Katie O’Malley, made headlines last week when she commented that legislation to allow same sex marriage failed last year because of “cowards” in the House of Delegates.