Washington,
DC - National Stonewall Democrats and
Stonewall Democrats of Central Maryland applaud the opinion released by
Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler that states that same-sex marriages
performed in other jurisdictions can be honored in the state of Maryland. Mr.
Gansler's opinion means Maryland joins New York State in providing the basis
for honoring marriages between same-sex couples even though such marriages are
not performed in either state. Five states -- Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa,
Vermont, New Hampshire -- as well as the District of Columbia and several other
countries grant same-sex couples the same rights and responsibilities of
marriage given to heterosexual couples.
Statement
from Michael C. Mitchell, Executive Director, National Stonewall Democrats:
"We applaud Attorney General Gansler for
issuing this historic opinion. While there can be no doubt that public policy
-- in Maryland, and around the country -- is trending toward increasing legal
protections for same-sex couples, we need brave elected officials to spur that
progress along.
"That Maryland now showcases the basis for
granting equal rights and responsibilities to same-sex couples married in other
jurisdictions was made possible by the election of a fair-minded Democrat, Doug
Gansler, to the office of Attorney General. Elections have consequences, and
Doug Gansler's election means that Maryland can now be counted among the
handful of states where same-sex couples can feel safer and more secure with
legal recognition of their partnerships. We look forward to standing with our local
affiliate, the Central Maryland Stonewall Democrats, as they work to elect additional
public officials who support equal rights for same-sex couples."
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