Maryland’s attorney general said Wednesday that the state may legally recognize same-gender marriages performed in other states.
The 45-page opinion from Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler was addressed to state Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr.
“You have asked whether those marriages may be recognized under state law. The answer to that question is clearly ‘yes,'” Gansler wrote.
He noted that his opinion is “not itself the law of Maryland in the same sense as a statute enacted by the Legislature or court decision elaborating the common law or construing a statute.” Rather, it is an interpretation of law intended to guide courts and government agencies, he said.
“Thus, what we say in this opinion is a prediction, not a prescription, as to the how the court would approach this issue under current law,” Gansler wrote.
His office said that he cannot direct the actions of state agencies.
But Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley said Wednesday afternoon that the state “will be guided by the attorney general’s thorough analysis and legal advice on this matter.”
He added, “I am confident that the attorney general and his office will provide all necessary advice to state agencies on how to comply with the law, and I expect all state agencies to work with the attorney general’s office to ensure compliance with the law.”
It was unclear what the immediate ramifications of Gansler’s opinion would be in Maryland.
Maryland state law from 1973 says that only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid in the state. However, there are no laws or court cases regarding recognition of marriages legally performed in other places, the attorney general’s office said.
(Source: http://www.cnn.com/)
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5 Responses
Maryland is full of leftist Democrats. I’m so happy I moved out of state.
Mamashtakah, there’s still the vibrant frum communities of Baltimore, Silver Spring, and a few other enclaves that have popped up like Olney that prevent Hashem from bringing another mabul on MD 😉
This is a legal opinion, NOT law. It does not have the force of law, nor does it mean that Maryland is on the verge of legalizing to’eva marriages.
I still believe that marriage is a religious function and should be defined by the various religins according to their beliefs. Civil marriages and any other union condoned by secular authorities ahould NOT be cqalled marriage, no matter who is involved.
Well that’s a dumb move. For one thing, Maryland residents who are gay will realize they can go out of state to get married and come home and be married, while Maryland allows another state to collect the marriage license fees. This idea is half-baked.
Gays will never be able to ‘get married’ (in same sex ‘marriages’) anywhere, no matter what laws are passed.
Marriage means between a man and a woman nothing else.
Two men cannot ‘marry’ each other nor can two women, anymore then a person could choose to be a tomato.
Sure if you change the definition of the word tomato, to mean something that a human could become, that would eb possible just like changing the definition of the word marriage, but right now marriage means only one thing and I hope G-d willing, it never changes.