Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank on Wednesday spoke out against a likely ballot referendum that would repeal Maryland’s marriage equality law.

“I look forward to the people of Maryland showing that equality is alive and well here,” he said during an event for President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign in Columbia, Md.

Governor Martin O’Malley signed his state’s marriage equality bill into law on March 1 after lawmakers narrowly approved the measure. It is slated to take effect on Jan. 1, but opponents of nuptials for gays and lesbians will almost certainly collect enough signatures to place a referendum on the November ballot.