Urge Maryland's Attorney General to Recognize Out-of-State Same-Sex Marriages

Victory - Feb 24, 2010

Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler has finally ruled on the question of whether his State could legally recognize same-sex marriages that are performed out-of-state in places where gay marriage is legal.

Gansler's opinion came after months and months of waiting -- and more than 800 emails from Change.org members urging him to recognize out-of-state legal same-sex marriages. According to Gansler, though views on same-sex marriage might be diverse, personal beliefs shouldn't influence the law. 

Kudos to Attorney General Gansler. It took too long for this decision to come down, but now that it's here, it can be celebrated as an opinion that recognizes the inherent goodness and legitimacy of same-sex relationships.

Thank you to everyone who helped by signing this petition!

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UPDATE: On February 24, Maryland's Attorney General issued an opinion that advocates for Maryland to recognize out-of-state gay marriages. While his opinion is not binding law, it does serve as a good prediction for how the Court or the legislature might rule on the issue. It's an important first step. Thanks to all who have taken action and sent letters to the Maryland Attorney General's office! For more information, click here.

In the coming weeks, Maryland's Attorney General, Douglas Gansler, is expected to issue a decision on whether the state of Maryland can recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.  While this would not make same-sex marriage legal in Maryland, it would allow the state to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples from states where marriage equality is on the books (currently Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, and Maine, as well as the roughly 18,000 same-sex marriages that are legally recognized in California). 

This is an important first step for recognizing marriage equality in Maryland.  Please, email Attorney General Gansler and urge him to decide in favor of recognizing out-of-state same-sex marriages in Maryland. 

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Petition Text

Please recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages

Dear Attorney General Gansler

[Your name]

  • Kelsie Linn Kelsie Linn   Mount Savage, MD
    Sent letter to Douglas Gansler (Maryland Attorney General)
    Feb 24
  • Julie van Niekerk   South Africa, SD
    Sent letter to Douglas Gansler (Maryland Attorney General)
    Feb 22
  • Ashley Morra Ashley Morra   Bourne, MA
    Sent letter to Douglas Gansler (Maryland Attorney General)
    Feb 17
  • Ioan Lightoller Ioan Lightoller   Goodyear, AZ
    Sent letter to Douglas Gansler (Maryland Attorney General)
    Feb 17
  • Brian Stachowiak Brian Stachowiak   Los Angeles, CA
    Sent letter to Douglas Gansler (Maryland Attorney General)
    Feb 16
  • Tom Hahn Tom Hahn   Los Osos, CA
    Sent letter to Douglas Gansler (Maryland Attorney General)
    Feb 16
  • Hoyt C. Noble Hoyt C. Noble   Lexington, KY
    Sent letter to Douglas Gansler (Maryland Attorney General)
    Feb 16
  • Jennifer Martino Jennifer Martino   Dixon, CA
    Sent letter to Douglas Gansler (Maryland Attorney General)
    Feb 13
  • Lauren Howard Lauren Howard   monroe, NC
    Sent letter to Douglas Gansler (Maryland Attorney General)
    Feb 11
  • Scott Finnell Scott Finnell   Orange Park, FL
    Sent letter to Douglas Gansler (Maryland Attorney General)
    Feb 08

Sign the Petition

810 Signatures
Goal: 1,000
81%

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