Good news out of Annapolis for proponents of same-sex marriage: the Maryland House of Delegates Judiciary Committee voted to approve legislation which would legalize gay marriage in the state by a 12-10 vote.

The most curious part of the committee vote was the flip-flop of two state legislators: Del. Tiffany Alston, a co-sponsor of the legislation, switched gears and voted against the legislation; but Committee Chairman Joseph F. Vallario Jr., who doesn’t support same sex marriage, flipped and voted in favor of the bill.

The bill will now move on to a full vote in the 171-member House. (The state’s Senate passed a similar version of the bill on February 23.) The House will take up debate on the bill next week, with approval in the chamber the last hurdle to clear before the legislation can go to Governor Martin O’Malley for his signature.