Maryland, the state some DCists call home, may be getting closer to becoming the next state to legalize same-sex marriages.

Well, one step closer, anyway.

A case filed by nine same-sex couples earlier this month (plaintiffs Jodi Kelber-Kaye and Stacey Kargman-Kaye are pictured above) and aimed at overturning a state law banning same-sex marriage is currently working its way through the courts, with a circuit court in Baltimore set to hear oral arguments on July 27, notes the Washington Blade.

However, an email update from Equality Maryland Executive Director Dan Furmansky claims that the judge presiding over the case has set a deadline of August 1 for amicus briefs and an August 15 deadline for any response from the parties involved — meaning that oral arguments won’t take place until August 30.

Even if the case progresses past this point, overturning Maryland’s same-sex marriage ban will probably be an uphill battle. A victory would most likely prompt a response from Maryland legislators like State Senator Alexander Mooney, whose recent fundraising letters have highlighted his vote against the “life partners bill” — which would have granted same-sex partners at least some of the rights married couples enjoy — and promise that he will continue to fight against efforts to forward gay and lesbian equality.

So, while this is a significant first step, gays and lesbians in Maryland probably face a long walk down the aisle. And there will probably be more than a few objections before they finally reach the altar.