Md. Gov. Would Recognize Gay Marriages

By Julie Bolcer

Maryland governor Martin O'Malley said Monday that he is open to recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states, according to WTOP-FM.

"I think that it's very difficult to deny equal rights to people when it comes to rights that are disbursed by a government rather than a faith or a church," O'Malley told the radio station's Ask the Governor program. "If the person has these rights under another state, I think we're sort of pressed to deny those rights. So, yes, we probably should respect those rights."

Maryland attorney general Douglas F. Gansler is expected to issue a formal opinion soon on whether the state can recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. O'Malley said on Monday that he would follow the opinion, should it recommend that the state recognize the marriages.

O'Malley, a Democrat, has expressed support for legalizing civil unions in Maryland, but he has not supported marriage equality.

His remarks came just as Washington, D.C., prepared to begin recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere on Tuesday.

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Name: Johannes
Date posted: 7/7/2009 2:01:00 PM
Hometown: Oakland, CA

Comment:
This is a useful step towards increasing the public's comfort level with marriage equality in MD. After a couple of years of MD recognizing the marriages of same-sex couples (and couples who seek the recognition being able to travel to New England to get married), it will just seem silly to most fair-minded individuals that gays and lesbians would have to travel out-of-state to get married. The same process has resulted in ever-increasing public support for marriage equality in NY.
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Name: PJR
Date posted: 7/7/2009 1:14:00 PM
Hometown: Michigan

Comment:
Maybe Obama could learn a lesson or two from O'Malley
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Name: Roger Burr
Date posted: 7/7/2009 11:00:00 AM
Hometown: Marble Hill, MO

Comment:
I'm glad to see Governor O'Malley taking a stand in Maryland. I had hoped he would have been more forceful in his opinions, though. Former Maryland Governor Glendenning was openly supportive of legalizing same-sex marriage in Maryland. What Governor O'Malley is proposing IS a step in the right direction. A small step to be sure; but a step, nonetheless. I give him credit for it.
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Name: citybythebay
Date posted: 7/7/2009 9:59:00 AM
Hometown: san francisco

Comment:
Wow. NY has done this. DC. I wonder whether states adopting this position together with states adopting same-sex marriage can get us eventually to a repeal of DOMA.

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