Maryland Recognizes Gay Marriages From Out-Of-State

Washington Post:

Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler (D) said Wednesday that effective immediately, and until challenged in court, the state recognizes same-sex marriages performed elsewhere and that Maryland agencies should begin affording out-of-state gay couples all the rights they have been awarded in other places.

"State agencies in Maryland will recognize out-of-state gay marriages as of right now," Gansler said at a news conference explaining the effect of a long-awaited opinion he released Wednesday morning.

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[newtom]

02:38 PM on 03/05/2010

It's a good first step in the right direction.

[jerryatthebeach]

08:55 AM on 02/26/2010

Do they recognize Pre-Nups as well???

[tracybears]

11:25 PM on 02/25/2010

Allowing for new gay married couples to enjoy of the benefits or normal rights as of those who are married, is also a controversial issue in a more religious way. This new norm that allows such incidents for gay couples married from out of state, is a stepping stone for a more accepting and liberal way of perceiving rights. But for those who know and preach a more religious oriented message, this is unacceptable. And this happens not because of personal opinion but because of what it is stated in the bible. 1st Corinthians versicle 6 (9-10) Clearly states the following: What! Do y ou not know that unrighteous persons will not inherit Gods kingdom? Do not be misled. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers nor men kept for unnatural purposes, nor men who lie with men ... will inherit God´s Kingdom.
Taking this into consideration, is a brief example of why this might be such a controversial issue now being evaluated by society. But for a more social aspect, this new norm may allow a new perspective and way of living for those who are now being little by little accepted in society.

[ardethbay]

08:25 AM on 02/26/2010

The thing is alot of people do not care what your version of the bible says, and the number is growing. There is no logical reason two people of the same sex shouldn't be allowed to marry. It used to be that people of different races were not allowed to marry.

[StevenKeirstead]

09:02 AM on 02/28/2010

Imposing your religion on people who disagree via the government is the really unacceptable thing. You can state your opposition to same sex marriage all you like, but you cannot expect government to enact laws based on your particular religious beliefs. As Jefferson wrote the Danbury Baptists regarding the 1st Amendment to the US Constitution, 'I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.'

[Papasito]

05:58 PM on 02/25/2010

Welcome MD to what the 1970s Netherlands.

[taddles]

04:32 PM on 02/25/2010

Excellent!

[bluntobject]

01:48 PM on 02/25/2010

Excellent! Can't wait to see how long it takes the arch-bigots of the family values crowd at F/u/c/k/u/s On The Straight Family Only, to make some kind of legal challenge. Like they have nothing better to do with their time and recources -- instead of trying to make families of all types better, they are out to destroy the gay ones. The whole premise behind why groups like Focus on The Family even exist is to oppress gay people -- nothing more.

FYI -- the whole Prop 8 Trial moving forward in Federal Court in CA may give bigots over at FOTF, pause to act too quickly. By all accounts, the decision will be nullified, gay marriage in CA will be stayed by the High Court pending appeal to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, if they don't grant Cert to hear it themselves. Where hopefully, Boise and Olsen will be able to help our country do the right thing on this issue, once and for all.

[kplNYC]

11:48 AM on 02/25/2010

Don't get too excited yet MD...How long will it be until this is put to a vote so the rug can be firmly yanked out from beneath you? And yes, I know how cynical this sounds.

[2d Bride]

01:29 AM on 02/28/2010

One of the nice things about Maryland is that although there is a referendum process, there is no initiative process. Thus, gay marriage could be put to a popular vote only if the legislature decided to do so. The legislature is unlikely to want to put this issue to a popular vote, if only because the legislature is overwhelmingly Democratic, and votes on gay issues tend to bring the crazy right-wingers (who then vote for Republicans) out to vote.

The legislature could itself nullify this result merely bey enacting a new law banning recognition of same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. (The opinion was based only on current statutes, not on constitutional grounds.) However, it has considered and rejected such measures several times in recent years.

Thus, if this result is changed, it would probably have to be by court action. And although the court upheld the ban on same-sex marriages in Maryland a few years ago, the most conservative members have now left and been replaced by more progressive ones.

[NWBrunette]

11:47 AM on 02/25/2010

Good for Maryland. Hopefully it will stand in the face of unrelenting opposition from the fear-obsessed w*ng n*ts and the h@te-filled, Christian homo.phobes.

[SouthJerseySteve]

11:43 AM on 02/25/2010

Who would have thought -- Maryland more progressive than NY or NJ!?!?

[JonB2057]

06:47 PM on 02/25/2010

Why does this make Maryland progressive?

[brahdog]

09:56 PM on 02/25/2010

actually ny recognizes same-sex marriages from out of state as well

[mollymac]

11:24 AM on 02/25/2010

I think the irony of all this is that this is an issue that will not be stopped. Once it starts rolling, there may be glitches along the way, but it is never going back in the closet. The haters will get too old to care, the C. Church has more problems than a math book and the gay people will get stronger and insist on their equality under the law. If we can all remember, marriage is a contract-no more no less. A legal and binding contract. It is not church business unless the people want a religious ceremony. The A. Americans? Don't get their negative stance at all. I guess it's ok for them to have the right to marry those of a different race which was hard won at best; but gay people are "different"? Ah, I get it.

[SouthJerseySteve]

11:41 AM on 02/25/2010

Bravo! You hit the proverbial nail on the head!

[taddles]

04:32 PM on 02/25/2010

Agreed.

[sisyphus93]

11:03 AM on 02/25/2010

"One Republican lawmaker vowed to bring articles of impeachment against Gansler for trying to usurp Maryland law, which defines marriage within the state as between a man and a woman."

As well they should.

[MoeB]

11:26 AM on 02/25/2010

But wouldn't that only affect gays who currently live in Maryland and want to get married? My understanding is that the state would only be recognizing out of state gay marriages...meaning, while you can't get one in Maryland, you could already be married and MOVE to Maryland and receive the same rights and benefits...

[sisyphus93]

12:18 PM on 02/25/2010

Which is clearly a violation of the spirit of the law that recognizes marriage as the union of a man and a woman. Gays apparently have no respect either for the will of the citizens or the rule of law if they don't get what they want. Childish petulance.

[manlambda]

10:38 AM on 02/25/2010

Let's not celebrate just yet. This will ultimately work it's way through the courts and I don't have tons of faith in the MD Court of Appeals. I will celebrate if and when they uphold this. Then I will make plans to go to DC and finally marry my husband of 22 years.

[bubbalove]

01:13 AM on 02/26/2010

"marry my husband of 22 years"

Have you both been monogamous for 22 years???

That would be something!

[Mike Kilpatrick]

11:28 AM on 03/05/2010

Bubba have you? Are you keeping out of men's rooms lately?

[helonias]

10:24 AM on 02/25/2010

Good job

[TeraWatt60]

10:05 AM on 02/25/2010

Kudos Maryland! but what about your own citizens getting married within your borders?

[KIVPossum]

09:50 AM on 02/25/2010

Another positive step. Good for MD.

And a Southern state, too!

[newtom]

02:39 PM on 03/05/2010

Did you know that MD never seceded from the Union?

[KIVPossum]

03:38 PM on 03/05/2010

Yes I know that. It's still usually considered a southern states.

Did you know one bennie they got from staying with the union was that they could legally keep their slaves - and did.