Gov. Martin O'Malley is teaming up with a Baltimore Ravens linebacker to raise money to support same-sex marriage in Maryland.
The governor announced in an email on Wednesday that he and Brendon Ayanbadejo will attend an event support the November ballot question regarding same-sex marriage.
The event is a Monday Night Football party and fundraiser in Baltimore on Oct. 8.
Ayanbadejo drew national headlines earlier this month after he voiced support for same-sex marriage in a YouTube video.
"I believe we should be doing everything we can to make Maryland families stronger, which is why I support marriage for gay and lesbian couples who want to make a lifetime committment to each other."
After the video's release, Del. Emmett Burns Jr. (D-Baltimore County) wrote to Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti asking him to restrain the linebacker from speaking publicly on the issue.
In March, O'Malley signed a bill that would permit gay and lesbian couples to obtain marriage licenses in Maryland starting Jan. 1, 2013. However, opponents collected enough signatures on the matter to force a referendum.
This fall, Maine and Washington state voters will also decide whether same-sex marriage should be legal. Minnesota is voting on a constitutional ban.
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