Maryland

On February 24, 2010, the Maryland Attorney General issued an opinion stating that Maryland law should honor out of state marriages with no gay exception.  Also, for numerous years in a row, Maryland lawmakers have killed an attempt to write marriage discrimination into the state constitution. Just as Marylanders are succeeding in protecting their constitution, they are also fighting to overturn an anti-marriage law in order to end the exclusion of same-sex couples and their families from marriage. Although the state Supreme Court wrote a disappointing decision upholding marriage discrimination, state advocacy groups, religious organizations, and Maryland lawmakers are continuing to move forward to protect all families. As a result of successful legislative campaigns, gay couples in Maryland can access some protections and responsibilities at the state level.

For information about how to get married in DC: Supreme Court of DC Marriage Bureau Section and District of Columbia Office of GLBT Affairs. 

Status: Out-of-State Marriages Honored, Some Protections for Couples, Anti-Marriage Law

Groups Actively Working on Marriage

Equality Maryland: Maryland's largest LGBT civil rights group working to secure and protect the rights of LGBT Marylanders by promoting legislative initiatives at the state, county and municipal levels

Maryland Black Family Alliance: a coalition of Black familiesand leaders of many faiths who stand for fairness, justice and equality for all families

Take Action by signing the petition in support of the Attorney General's Opinion.

Blog Posts Related to Maryland

Another day in the Summer for Marriage – another 300 conversations

Managing Director Scott Davenport shares his experiences on the Maryland leg of Freedom to Marry's Summer for Marriage. The dialogue there was positive and plentiful.

Washington Post: D.C. marriage ruling is a victory for all minority groups

The Washington Post editorial board says the D.C. Court of Appeals on Thursday provided an important and welcome victory for the freedom to marry.

But its decision in Jackson v. D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics is likely to have significance far beyond the realm of gay rights.

Voice for Equality: Annapolis mayor Josh Cohen

Josh Cohen is an American Democratic politician who was elected on Nov. 3, 2009, as mayor of Annapolis. Cohen, a Democrat, gained 46.5 percent of the vote to defeat Republican nominee David Cordle (40.5 percent) and independent candidate Chris Fox (13 percent). Cohen, who served previously on the Anne Arundel County Council (District 6) and the Annapolis City Council (Ward 8), succeeded Ellen O. Moyer as Annapolis' chief executive on Dec. 7, 2009.

In a move toward marriage equality in Maryland, Mayor Cohen extended benefits in June of 2010 to the same-sex partners of city workers, including access to medical plans.

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Resources Related to Maryland

Frequently Asked Questions About Marriage Recognition for Same-Sex Couples in Maryland

Lambda Legal, American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Equality Maryland, and the American Civil Liberties Union: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Guide for same-sex couples in Maryland who married out of state.

FAQ about Maryland Attorney General’s Opinion on Out-of-State Marriage Licenses

Equality Maryland's answers to frequently asked questions.

Maryland Census Snapshot

Demographic and economic information about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children in Maryland.

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