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Md. first lady apologizes for comments

First lady Katie O'Malley says she regrets saying that gay marriage legislation failed in Maryland last year because "there were some cowards that prevented it from passing."

The first lady issued a statement Friday saying she let her feelings get the better of her while she addressed a crowd at the 24th annual Conference on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality on Thursday night in Baltimore.

O'Malley says she deeply respects that there are strongly held and differing views on marriage equality in Maryland. But she says she hopes elected officials will come together to fairly address an important issue for families and children.

Same-sex marriage legislation passed the Senate last year, but it stalled in the House. Gov. Martin O'Malley is backing same-sex marriage legislation this year.