Same-sex marriage in Maryland

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A bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland was passed by the Maryland General Assembly in February 2012 and signed on March 1, 2012, by Governor Martin O'Malley. Under its provisions, same-sex couples will be able to marry beginning January 1, 2013.[1] Opponents of the law have stated their intent to gather signatures to put the law up to a referendum that would appear on the ballot in the November 2012 election.[2] If passed, the referendum would repeal the law before same-sex marriages take place.

During the mid-2000s, proponents of same-sex marriage filed a lawsuit claiming that the state's ban on same-sex marriage violated the protection against gender discrimination in the Maryland Constitution; the Maryland Court of Appeals rejected this argument, in a 4-3 decision. Opponents of same-sex marriage have tried unsuccessfully to have the legislature approve a referendum that would ban such marriages in the state constitution. The state has recognized a limited form of domestic partnership for both same-sex and unmarried opposite-sex couples since 2008.

Contents

[edit] Maryland Family Law

Maryland Family Law, Section 2-201, provides that "only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid in th[e] state".[3]

Since 2008, the state has recognized certain legal protections that apply to domestic partners, defined as adults (of the same or opposite sex) in "a relationship of mutual interdependence" who are not related by blood and who are not in a marriage, civil union, or domestic partnership with anyone else.[4] These protections include rights to hospital visitation and to make funeral arrangements for each other; in addition, a domestic partner's name can be added or removed from the deed of a residence without incurring a tax liability, as with married spouses.

The state does not have any form of domestic partnership registry, so couples may be required by officials or facilities to prove that their partnership exists by providing a sworn affidavit along with two other documents enumerated in the law, such as evidence of a joint mortgage, checking account, or insurance coverage, among others.[5]

[edit] Conaway v. Deane & Polyak

On July 7, 2004, the American Civil Liberties Union, in partnership with Equality Maryland, filed a lawsuit (Deane & Polyak v. Conaway) on behalf of nine same-sex couples and one man whose partner had recently died.[6] The plaintiffs had applied for marriage licenses in several Maryland jurisdictions, but their applications were denied by the respective county clerks, who are named as the defendants in the case. In their complaint, the plaintiffs asserted, among other things, that the state's prohibition of same-sex marriage violated Article 46 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights, which prohibits discrimination based on sex.[6]

“ [It] was a disappointing decision. It was very mediocre and the reasoning was shallow and inadequate. They never explained how if procreation is somehow central to marriage—which legally it clearly is not—how denying gay people the right to marry promotes procreation. ”

—Evan Wolfson of Freedom to Marry on the 2007 decision, [7]

On August 30, 2005, oral arguments from each side were presented to Baltimore Circuit Court Judge M. Brooke Murdock. On January 20, 2006, Murdock ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, writing that "Maryland's statutory prohibition against same-sex marriage cannot withstand this constitutional challenge. Family law §2-201 violates Article 46 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights because it discriminates, based on gender against a suspect class, and is not narrowly tailored to serve any compelling governmental interests."[8]

Judge Murdock immediately stayed the decision pending an appeal by the office of the Maryland Attorney General.[9] On July 27, 2006, the Maryland Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, agreed to hear the appeal directly, bypassing an intermediate court.[10] Oral arguments were heard on December 4, 2006.[10]

On September 18, 2007, the Court of Appeals ruled against the plaintiffs in a 4-3 decision, leaving the statutory ban on same-sex marriage in place.[11]

[edit] Reaction to the lawsuit

While many civil rights groups hailed Judge Murdock's decision, opponents of same-sex marriage reacted by stepping up efforts to prevent legal recognition of such unions. Legislators opposed to same-sex marriage, led by Delegate Don Dwyer, have introduced several measures since the lawsuit was filed.[12]

[edit] Constitutional amendment attempt

During the 2006 and 2007 sessions of the Maryland General Assembly, legislators opposed to same-sex marriage proposed several amendments to the Maryland Constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. If enacted, such an amendment would have the effect of keeping the prohibition on same-sex marriage in effect regardless of the outcome of Deane & Polyak v. Conaway or any future lawsuit.

One such proposed amendment, HB 48, was rejected by the Judiciary Committee of the Maryland House of Delegates on February 2, 2006. Prior to the vote, some committee members, who opposed the bill, amended it to create civil unions while banning same-sex marriage. This resulted in a unanimous committee vote to reject the proposed constitutional amendment.[12] Other amendment proposals (such as SB 262 and SB 690) were also introduced in 2006, but none were passed out of committee before the session came to an end in April.

Two similar proposals (SB 564 and HB 919) were introduced in the 2007 legislative session; once again, neither of them was passed out of committee. The latter amendment, which would have also banned the discussion of same-sex unions in schools, was defeated in the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 12-8 on March 22.[13]

[edit] Impeachment attempt

On March 7, 2006, Delegate Dwyer introduced a resolution in the Maryland General Assembly to impeach Judge M. Brooke Murdock, charging her with "violating the public trust, abuse of power, incompetence, willful neglect of duty, and misbehavior in office" for her Circuit Court decision in favor of same-sex marriage. Dwyer's resolution was defeated by a 19–3 vote in the Judiciary Committee on March 10.[14] Dwyer has also announced an intention to initiate impeachment proceedings against Attorney General Gansler, in reaction to Gansler's legal opinion finding that same-sex marriage could be recognized in Maryland.

[edit] Attorney General's opinion

On February 24, 2010, Maryland's Attorney General, Doug Gansler, issued an opinion that Maryland law could recognize same-sex marriages performed in other U.S. states which permit same-sex marriage.[15][16] According to Attorney General Gansler, the opinion is binding on state agencies effective immediately.[17]

On June 23, 2011, a Washington County judge recognized the marriage of a same-sex couple legally married in Washington, D. C., allowing one spouse to invoke spousal privilege and refuse to testify against the other spouse in a criminal case.[18]

[edit] Actions in the General Assembly

[edit] 1997 legislative session

The Maryland legislature voted down a bill that would have legalized same-sex marriage in the state. In the same session, House Bill 398, which would have barred the state from recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions, was defeated in committee.[19]

[edit] 2008 legislative session

State Senator Gwendolyn Britt of Landover Hills and Delegate Victor R. Ramirez of Mount Rainier were expected to submit a bill during the 2008 session to legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland.[20] Britt died on January 12, 2008. On January 25, 2008, House Bill 351 was introduced to amend Section 2-201 to define marriage as between "two people, not otherwise prohibited from marrying."[21] A bill in the Senate was also introduced by Senators Richard Madaleno and Jamie Raskin in Britt's place.[22] Roughly one quarter of each chamber has signed on as cosponsors of the bill.[21][22] If passed, it would have become effective October 1, 2008.[23] The House bill was heard by the House Judiciary Committee on February 28, 2008.[24] The hearings were taped by Maryland Public Television.[24]

Equality Maryland held a rally in support of the bills on February 11, 2008.[25]

[edit] Domestic partnership legislation

Although neither of the same-sex marriage bills were passed, the General Assembly did establish a form of domestic partnership in Maryland by the passage of two pieces of legislation, Senate Bill (SB) 566 and SB 597. SB 566 [4] includes 11 protections for domestic partners, including hospital visitation and the making of funeral arrangements for each other; SB 597 [26] allows a domestic partner's name to be added or removed from the deed of a residence, without incurring a tax liability, as with married spouses.

According to the General Assembly's own summary of SB 597, domestic partners are defined in that state as adults (same-sex or different-sex) in "a relationship of mutual interdependence" who are not related by blood and who are not in a marriage, civil union, or domestic partnership with anyone else.[4] The law did not establish a domestic partnership registry, so couples may be required by officials or facilities to prove that their partnership exists by providing a sworn affidavit along with two other documents enumerated in the law, such as evidence of a joint mortgage, checking account, or insurance coverage, among others.[5]

The two bills were signed into law by Governor Martin O'Malley on May 22, and came into effect on July 1, 2008.[27]

[edit] 2009 legislative session

Like the 2008 legislative session, two bills on same-sex marriage faced the legislature. A bill that would have amended the Maryland constitution to ban same-sex marriage died in the House Judiciary Committee with a vote of 13-6-1.[28]

[edit] 2011 legislative session

In 2011, the General Assembly considered the Civil Marriage Protection Act to legalize same-sex marriages in the state. Governor Martin O'Malley, a Catholic, stated that he would sign it, against the urges of Archbishop of Baltimore Edwin Frederick O'Brien, who wrote to O'Malley asking him to resist pressure to legalize same-sex marriage.[29] On February 24, 2011, the bill passed the Senate by a 25-21 vote. The Senate was thought to be the biggest obstacle to the bill,[30] but it encountered opposition in the House from black Democratic lawmakers from Prince George's County, who cited religious objections, and conservative Democrats from southern Maryland and the Baltimore suburbs. About a third of the chamber's 98 Democrats opposed the bill.[31][32] The debate pitted openly gay lawmakers against activists from the civil rights era.[31] Delegate Emmett C. Burns, Jr. said: "If you want to compare same-sex marriage to civil rights as I know it, show me the Ku Klux Klan that invaded your home."[31] Several delegates who originally co-sponsored the bill began to express doubts after being lobbied by church-going constituents , including Tiffany Alston, who delayed the bill's vote in the Judiciary Committee by skipping the voting session.[30] The bill passed the committee after its chairman, who rarely votes in committee, voted for it.[30] The House Majority Whip opposed the bill.[30] On March 11, 2011, the House voted to send the bill back to committee and will not reconsider it before January 2012. Proponents planned to bring it up again in 2012, and opponents have said they intend to petition to subject the bill to a popular referendum if it passes.[30]

[edit] 2012 legislative session

As planned, the Civil Marriage Protection Act was reintroduced on February 1, 2012.[33] In this version, religious leaders, institutions, and their programs are more explicitly protected from lawsuits if they refuse to officiate or provide facilities for a same-sex marriage or couple.[34] On February 17, 2012, the Maryland House of Delegates approved the bill by a 72–67 vote.[33][35] On February 23, 2012, the Maryland Senate approved the bill by a vote of 25-22.[36][37] The final bill was amended so that it would not take effect until January 1, 2013, allowing the ballot process to take its course in the event of a November 2012 referendum, which could repeal it.[38] Petitioners must gather at least 55,736 valid signatures by June 30, in order to gain a place on the ballot.[39]

Among those lobbying for the bill were Dick Cheney and former Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman.[40] Also, former President Bill Clinton and former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe lobbied in favor of the bill.[40]

On March 1, 2012, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley signed the bill legalizing same-sex marriage.[1][41]

[edit] Economic impact

A UCLA study estimated that extending marriage rights to same-sex couples would result in a net gain of approximately $3.2 million each year to the state budget.[42] The study drew on data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Maryland statistical reports. The gain is attributable to savings in expenditures on means-tested public-benefit programs and an increase in sales and lodging tax revenue from weddings and wedding-related tourism.

[edit] Public opinion

[edit] 2011

  • A January 2011 poll by Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies[43] found that 51% of Maryland voters support a law allowing same-sex marriage and 44% oppose. 5% were undecided. The margin of error was +/-3.5 percentage points.[44]


  • A February 2011 poll commissioned by the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) and conducted by Gary Lawrence, an opponent of same-sex marriage,[45] found that 54% of Maryland voters believe "marriage should only be between a man and a woman" and 37% of those polled disagreed.[46] Eric Hartley of The Capital described this poll as a push poll intended to influence responders to give answers desired by NOM because the poll asked for the opinion of the voter personally on the issue, not the opinion of the proposed law.[47] The stated methodology mentions no normalizing tests, and respondents were found by auto-dialing random digits until they reached a sufficient number of registered voters, rather than taking a statistical cross-section of Maryland's electorate.[47]


  • A February 2011 by Grove Insight found that 49% of Maryland voters supported civil marriage for same-sex couples, 41% were against, and 10% were undecided.[48]
According to the polling results, 35% of Maryland voters would repeal same-sex marriage in a statewide referendum, while 52% would support retaining civil marriage for same-sex couples. The remainder were undecided.[48]

[edit] 2012

  • A January 2012 poll by Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies found that 49% of Maryland voters supported civil marriage for same-sex couples, while 47% were opposed.[49]
  • A January 2012 poll by The Washington Post poll found that 50% of Maryland voters supported civil marriage for same-sex couples, while 44% were opposed.[50]

[edit] See also

Portal icon LGBT portal
Portal icon Maryland portal
Wikinews has related news: Interview with gay marriage movement founder Evan Wolfson

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Linskey, Anne (March 1, 2012). "O'Malley to sign same-sex marriage bill today". The Baltimore Sun. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/bal-omalley-to-sign-samesex-marriage-bill-today-20120229,0,1317765.story. Retrieved 1 March 2012. 
  2. ^ Associated Press (March 1, 2012). "Md. governor signs measure legalizing gay marriage; opponents pushing ballot referendum". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/black-church-members-in-md-say-faith-will-guide-them-on-potential-gay-marriage-referendum/2012/03/01/gIQAQBxpkR_story.html. Retrieved 1 March 2012. 
  3. ^ "Maryland Statute Article - Family Law §2–201.". http://mlis.state.md.us/asp/statutes_respond.asp?article=gfl&section=2-201&Extension=HTML. Retrieved January 25, 2008. 
  4. ^ a b c SB566 - Limited Domestic Partner Benefits Bill
  5. ^ a b "Legislation - Health Care Facility Visitation and Medical Decisions". EqualityMaryland. http://www.equalitymaryland.org/legislation/health_care_faq.htm. Retrieved December 29, 2008. 
  6. ^ a b Amicus Brief filed in Deane & Polyak v. Conaway. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  7. ^ Interview with Evan Wolfson, David Shankbone, September 30, 2007
  8. ^ Memorandum granting summary judgment to the plaintiffs. Murdock, J., Bal. Cir. Ct. Case, No. 24-C-04-005390. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  9. ^ Liptak, Adam (January 21, 2006). "Maryland Judge Voids Ban on Same-Sex Marriage; State Quickly Appeals". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/21/national/21marriage.html. Retrieved February 21, 2012. 
  10. ^ a b Brewington, Kelly (July 28, 2006). "Judges to hear same-sex lawsuit". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070930041145/http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.marriage28jul28,1,7511557.story?coll=bal-home-headlines. Retrieved January 25, 2008. 
  11. ^ Conway v. Deane, 932 A.2d 571 (Md. 2007)
  12. ^ a b Brewington, Kelly (February 3, 2006). "Marriage measure rejected". Baltimore Sun. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/baltsun/access/980752721.html?dids=980752721:980752721&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Feb+3%2C+2006&author=KELLY+BREWINGTON&pub=The+Sun&desc=Marriage+measure+rejected+. Retrieved January 25, 2008. 
  13. ^ Lynsen, Joshua (March 22, 2006). "Md. legislature kills same-sex marriage ban". Washington Blade Online. Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070928012023/http://www.washblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=12099. Retrieved January 25, 2008. 
  14. ^ Weill-Greenberg, Elizabeth (March 17, 2006). "Move to impeach Md. judge fails". Washington Blade Online. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070930201223/http://www.washblade.com/2006/3-17/news/localnews/murdock.cfm. Retrieved January 25, 2008. 
  15. ^ Linskey, Annie; Bykowicz, Julie (February 24, 2010). "Gansler says Md. could recognize same-sex marriages". The Baltimore Sun. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bal-same-sex-marriage-opinion0224,0,2960885.story. Retrieved February 25, 2010. 
  16. ^ Whether Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriage That is Valid in the State of Celebration May Be Recognized In Maryland, 95 Md. Op. Att'y Gen. 3, February 24, 2010.
  17. ^ Davis, Aaron C.; Wagner, John (February 24, 2010). "Md. attorney general: State to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/24/AR2010022403630.html?hpid=topnews. Retrieved May 22, 2010. 
  18. ^ "Judge: Woman doesn't have to testify against same-sex spouse". Herald-mail.com. June 23, 2011. http://www.herald-mail.com/news/local/hm-judge-rules-that-samesex-spouse-can-invoke-spousal-privilege-20110623,0,3777097.story. Retrieved December 29, 2011. 
  19. ^ "Death of a gay-marriage ban". Books.google.com. April 29, 1997. http://books.google.com/books?id=SGQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT23&dq=%22cat+stevens%22+%22homosexuality%22&hl=en&ei=LRVnTYzVM4THgAfLsIjLCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDkQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=%22cat%20stevens%22%20%22homosexuality%22&f=false. Retrieved December 29, 2011. 
  20. ^ Sedam, Sean R. (September 18, 2007). "Maryland’s high court upholds ban on same-sex marriage". Gazette.Net. Post-Newsweek Media, Inc.. http://www.gazette.net/stories/091807/montnew123618_32369.shtml. Retrieved January 25, 2008. 
  21. ^ a b Ramirez, Victor R.; et al. (January 25, 2008). "House Bill 351" (PDF). http://mlis.state.md.us/2008rs/billfile/hb0351.htm. Retrieved February 2, 2008. 
  22. ^ a b Madaleno, Richard; et al. (January 25, 2008). "Senate Bill 290". http://mlis.state.md.us/2008rs/billfile/SB0290.htm. Retrieved February 2, 2008. 
  23. ^ "House Bills and Joint Resolutions, 2008 Maryland General Assembly Session" (PDF). January 25, 2008. http://mlis.state.md.us/2008rs/synopsis/sH012510.pdf. Retrieved February 2, 2008. 
  24. ^ a b "Hearing Schedule for: February 28, 2008". http://mlis.state.md.us/2008rs/billfile/hb0351.htm. Retrieved February 13, 2008. 
  25. ^ "Equality Maryland Lobby Day". Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. http://web.archive.org/web/20080206192729/http://www.equalitymaryland.org/lobby_day/lobby_day_2008.htm. Retrieved February 3, 2008. 
  26. ^ Legislation: Recordation and Transfer Taxes – Exemptions – Domestic Partners
  27. ^ Agnese, Kevin (May 23, 2008). "O'Malley signs domestic partnership bills into law". Political Ticker MD. http://www.politickermd.com/kevinagnese/2373/omalley-signs-domestic-partner-bills-law. Retrieved December 29, 2008. 
  28. ^ Cavanaugh, Amy (Friday, Apr 3, 2009). "Marriage bills, pro and con, falter in Maryland". Washington Blade (Window Media, LLC). http://www.washingtonblade.com/2009/4-3/news/localnews/14307.cfm. Retrieved April 3, 2009. 
  29. ^ "O’Malley, archbishop at odds over same-sex marriage, letters show". Washingtonpost.com. December 21, 2011. http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/omalley-archbishop-at-odds-over-same-sex-marriage-letters-show/2011/08/08/gIQA4vR02I_story.html. Retrieved December 29, 2011. 
  30. ^ a b c d e Maryland House derails bill that would legalize same-sex marriage Washington Post
  31. ^ a b c "Bill to legalize gay marriage dies in Md. House". Washingtonexaminer.com. March 11, 2011. http://washingtonexaminer.com/local/maryland/2011/03/bill-legalize-gay-marriage-dies-md-house. Retrieved December 29, 2011. 
  32. ^ Same-Sex Marriage Bill Falls Short in Maryland
  33. ^ a b House Bill 438 (Bill info). Maryland General Assembly.
  34. ^ Volsky, Igor (January 25, 2012). "Maryland’s Same-Sex Marriage Bill Includes Most ‘Explicit’ Religious Conscience Protections". Think Progress. http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/01/25/411191/marylands-same-sex-marriage-bill-includes-most-explicit-religious-conscience-protections/. Retrieved 19 February 2012. 
  35. ^ "Maryland House Of Delegates Passes Marriage Equality Bill". ThinkProgress. February 17, 2012. http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/02/17/428460/maryland-house-of-delegates-passes-marriage-equality-bill/. Retrieved February 17, 2012. 
  36. ^ Md. gay marriage bill to become law Thursday afternoon, opponents begin referendum effort Washington Post. Retrieved February 25, 2012.
  37. ^ Hill, David (February 23, 2012). "Maryland senate approves same-sex marriage bill". The Washington Times. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/feb/23/maryland-senate-approves-same-sex-marriage-bill/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS. Retrieved 24 February 2012. 
  38. ^ Tavernise, Sabrina (February 17, 2012). "In Maryland, House Passes Bill to Let Gays Wed". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/18/us/maryland-house-approves-gay-marriage-measure.html. Retrieved Sabrina Tavernise. 
  39. ^ "Petitions - Introduction". Maryland State Board of Elections. http://www.elections.state.md.us/petitions/index.html. Retrieved 2 March 2012. 
  40. ^ a b Annie Linskey (February 17, 2012). "Maryland lawmakers under national pressure on marriage bill". Baltimore Sun. http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2012-02-17/news/bs-md-influence-20120216_1_anne-arundel-county-democrat-maryland-senate-voting-session. Retrieved 20 February 2012. 
  41. ^ "Md. Governor Signs Bill Legalizing Gay Marriage". ABC News. AP. March 1, 2012. http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/md-governor-signs-bill-legalizing-gay-marriage-15828907#.T0_2wqVdkuw. Retrieved 1 March 2012. 
  42. ^ Badgett, M.V. Lee (November 1, 2007). "The Impact on Maryland's Budget of Allowing Same-Sex Couples to Marry". The Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law, UC Los Angeles. http://escholarship.org/uc/item/7q28k8q6. Retrieved December 11, 2010. 
  43. ^ Gonzales Research & Marketing Strategies
  44. ^ "O'Malley numbers up in new poll; majority supports same-sex marriage". The Washington Post. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/annapolis/2011/01/omalley_numbers_up_in_new_poll.html. 
  45. ^ "Gay Marriage Poll Touted by Mormons Seems Dubious". The Huffington Post. October 14, 2011. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-peron/gay-marriage-poll-mormons_b_1010122.html. 
  46. ^ "New Poll Shows Majority of Maryland Voters Believe Marriage is Only One Man-One Woman". National Organization for Marriage. February 17, 2011. http://www.nationformarriage.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=omL2KeN0LzH&b=5075189&ct=8954013. Retrieved December 29, 2011. 
  47. ^ a b Eric Hartley (February 17, 2011). "If you want a different answer...". The Capital. http://www.hometownannapolis.com/blogs/post/2844450/If%20you%20want%20a%20different%20answer.html. Retrieved March 6, 2011. 
  48. ^ a b "Momentum For Civil Marriage Equality In Maryland Continues To Rise". Equality Maryland. February 21, 2011. http://www.equalitymaryland.org/2011/2/21/momentum-for-civil-marriage-equality-in-maryland-continues-to-rise. Retrieved December 29, 2011. 
  49. ^ Linskey, Anne (March 1, 2012). "Obama earns 55% approval in Md.". Baltimore Sun. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-statewide-poll-20120117,0,3856405.story. Retrieved 2 March 2012. "Forty-nine percent favor allowing gay nuptials, and 47 percent oppose it. O'Malley is expected to introduce a bill legalizing gay marriage next week. Should it pass in the General Assembly, most believe it will be petitioned to referendum and put to the voters on the November ballot." 
  50. ^ John Wagner and Peyton M. Craighill (January 30,2012). "Half of Maryland residents back legalizing same-sex marriage". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/half-of-maryland-residents-back-legalizing-same-sex-marriage/2012/01/30/gIQAGeJ6cQ_story.html. Retrieved February 17, 2012. 

[edit] External links
Same-sex marriage legalized:
Same-sex marriage recognized,
but not performed:
California*# - Maryland†
Civil union or domestic partnership legal:
Same-sex marriage prohibited by statute:
Same-sex marriage prohibited
by constitutional amendment:
All types of same-sex unions prohibited
by constitutional amendment:
Recognition of same-sex unions undefined
by statute or constitutional amendment:

Notes:
*All out-of-state same-sex marriages are given the benefits of marriage under California law, although only those performed before November 5, 2008, are granted the designation "marriage".
# California's ban on same-sex marriage remains in limbo following a federal case finding the ban unconstitutional, which is currently stayed pending appeal.

†The Maryland Legislature passed a bill to allow same-sex couples to marry, and the Governor signed it into law. It will go into effect January 1, 2013 pending a referendum in November.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Same-sex_marriage_in_Maryland&oldid=480271507"
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