Maryland and the Freedom to Marry Spotlight
Posted on Feb 17, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Last year, Maryland's Attorney General, Douglas Gansler, said that he would look into the issue of whether Maryland could recognize same-sex marriages performed out-of-state. Maryland has a three-decades-old law that bans same-sex marriage in their state (that law was upheld in 2007 by a sharply divided State Supreme Court), but the question of recognizing out-of-state marriages falls beyond the purview of that 1970s relic.
Now the issue is getting an intense level of scrutiny. Unless hell or high water or right-wing fundamentalists take over, neighboring Washington, D.C. is set to start recognizing same-sex marriages, making the seat of the federal government a world-class destination for same-sex weddings. Will neighboring Maryland, just a fifteen minute ride on the Metro Red Line, recognize those marriages too? Or will the gay couple in Silver Spring start their train ride not married, then be married as they hit Union Station and Metro Center, then all of a sudden not be married once they reach Shady Grove?
Equality Maryland: Lobby Day Re-Scheduled to Monday, February 22nd
Posted on Feb 08, 2010 at 01:28 pm
Equality Maryland February 7, 2010
Due to the record-breaking snowfall, there are concerns about the safety of supporters and possible parking and accessibility challenges. Therefore Equality Maryland lobby day has been rer-scheduled for Monday, February 22nd. All other details remain the same as in our original post. [Link]
Delay of Maryland Attorney General Criticized in Marriage Ruling
Posted on Jan 30, 2010 at 03:42 pm
The Baltimore Sun January 29, 2010
Maryland Republicans criticized the state's attorney general Thursday for "playing politics" with the requested opinion on whether or not Maryland will recognize the marriage certificates of gay and lesbian couples married in other states. [Link]
Freedom to Marry Advocates in Maryland Thinking Long-Term
Posted on Jan 28, 2010 at 11:31 am
The Baltimore Sun January 28, 2010
Maryland advocates for the freedom to marry don't anticipate big victories in the State House this year, despite the recent adoption of more permissive laws in DC, New Hampshire and elsewhere. Instead, proponents of marriage equality are thinking long-term, launching a fundraising and lobbying effort to target state legislators who are opposed to the freedom to marry. [Link]
Maryland: Calling All Supporters of Equality!
Posted on Jan 27, 2010 at 09:20 am
Equality Maryland January 25, 2010
Maryland remains one of a handful of states that has the opportunity to end marriage discrimination against same-sex couples in the near future. The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act will be re-introduced this session. Lawmakers won’t support the bill unless they are asked, and the best people to ask are the voters who live in their district – that would be you! [Link]
Equality Maryland Lobby Day
Monday, Feb. 8, 2010
4:30 - 8:00 pm
Lawyer's Mall, Annapolis Click here for details
Get involved and learn about Freedom to Marry Week here, and let us know about events planned in your area!
Editorial: With the freedom to marry soon to be legal in D.C., how will Maryland respond?
Posted on Dec 17, 2009 at 10:50 am
December 17, 2009
With marriage equality passing in Washington D.C., The Baltimore Sun editorial board urges Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler to issue an opinion on whether the state is permitted to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples married elsewhere. [Link]
Governors blast Catholic Church over funding threat
Posted on Nov 24, 2009 at 03:08 pm
November 24, 2009
The governors of Virginia and Maryland both blasted the Catholic Church over its threat to stop providing social service programs in the District, if the city's proposed marriage equality law isn't changed. The criticism from the governors came on WTOP's Hands Across the Potomac radio program on Tuesday. [Link]
Op-Ed: D.C. Church’s Threat to Pull Social Programs over Marriage Equality Goes Too Far
Posted on Nov 16, 2009 at 02:46 pm
November 15, 2009
The Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. went too far when it threatened the D.C. City Council last week that it would halt its social service programs in the capital if lawmakers there approve a marriage equality proposal next month. [Link]
D.C. Marriage Bill Draws Eyes Across the Region
Posted on Nov 12, 2009 at 11:20 pm
November 12, 2009
A bill that would allow marriage for gay couples in Washington, D.C., is attracting attention from both supporters and opponents of marriage equality for its potential to influence policy in other areas of the region. [Link]
Maryland lawmaker: Recognize my legal marriage
Posted on Nov 06, 2009 at 11:31 am
November 6, 2009
Openly lesbian Maryland Delegate Heather Mizeur has penned an op-ed calling on state officials to recognize the marriages of Maryland’s same-sex couples who are married in jurisdictions where it is legal. [Link]