Despite Maryland's state law defining marriage as one man and one woman, Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler may determine that homosexual marriages from other states must legally be recognized in Maryland.
-- From "Md. AG considers recognizing gay marriages" by Associated Press 6/1/09
Gansler, a Democrat, supports gay marriage. While Maryland has extended a variety of protections to same-sex couples in recent years, it has stopped short of legalizing marriages or civil unions. Gov. Martin O'Malley, also a Democrat, supports the latter.
Any move to recognize gay marriages could be seen as an end-run around the legislature and is likely to draw legal challenges.
New York Gov. David A. Paterson signed an executive order last year directing state agencies to recognize same-sex nuptials performed elsewhere. District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty signed a bill this month that did the same.
Gay-rights advocates say the recognition of out-of-state marriages will strengthen relationships and confer hundreds of rights, benefits and responsibilities that gay couples currently lack.
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