Maryland Recognizes Out-of-State Gay Marriages

Maryland's attorney general declared today that "as of right now," the state will recognize gay marriages performed elsewhere. It's unlikely to be the final say, however: AG Douglas Gansler expects a quick court challenge to his opinion. In the meantime, state agencies will accord same-sex marriages the same rights as hetero ones.

Gansler issued his opinion in the morning but had to clarify in a subsequent news conference, reports the Washington Post. Lawmakers at first didn't think his opinion went that far. Five states permit gay marriages to take place, and—closer to home for Maryland—DC will begin issuing licenses in the spring.
(More Maryland stories.)