Maryland Wades In On Gay Marriage

“State agencies in Maryland will recognize out-of-state gay marriages as of right now,” Gansler said at a news conference.

In explaining why Maryland should recognize legal out-of-state marriages, Gansler noted that Maryland doesn’t have common law marriages but recognizes them from other states. Similarly, Maryland recognizes as valid the Rhode Island marriage of an uncle to his niece, a union that couldn’t be entered into in Maryland.

As Gansler explained, his opinion doesn’t create law but rather predicts how the state’s top court would rule.

His opinion is “the law of the land, unless and until the Legislature or a court overturns that decision,” he said.

Gov. Martin O’Malley quickly backed up the attorney general, stating, “I expect all state agencies to work with the attorney general’s office to ensure compliance with the law.”

Question marks remain that won’t be answered without a legal challenge and top court ruling. But the positive ripple effects likely will be seen in everything from spousal health care benefits for state workers to wording that once excluded married gays on government forms.

More at: The Cap Times!