Effort to Stop Gay Marriage Stopped

Earlier today, lawmakers in Maryland rejected a proposal by Emmett C. Burns to pass a law that would declare same-sex marriages illegal, even if the marriages were performed in a state that recognizes same-sex marriages.

Same-sex marriage is currently not legal in Maryland, but the proposal was considered to be a pre-emptive strike or pro-active measure against the legal opinion of state Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler that same-sex marriages which occur in states where they are legal be recognized in Maryland.

Burns stated his concern stems from the growing number of nearby states and Washington D.C. who have legalized same-sex marriage and felt it necessary for Maryland to close what he referred to as a legal loophole, which could possibly lead to full legalization of same-sex marriage in the state.

However, the House of Delegates Judiciary Committee voted 12-8 to toss the measure which essentially killed the bill.