Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley said on a WTOP radio show yesterday that he backs Attorney General Douglas Gansler's advice that the state recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, and said that the state is implementing the advice.Said O'Malley (my transcript):"I think the attorney general gave us sound advice. In a nutshell, what he's saying is that the question is 'Should our state recognize contracts entered into in other jurisdictions?' And we always have in the past, and I believe not only is it the right legal advice, it's also the only practical way to go. I mean, with ...

The first same-sex marriages took place in Mexico City yesterday as their marriage equality law went into effect, the L.A. Times reports: "Vazquez and Lol Kin Castaneda on Thursday became the first gay couple to marry in Mexico under a new law that allows same-sex couples to wed and to adopt children. The law was passed by the Mexico City legislature in December and applies only to the capital. It is the most far-reaching gay-rights law in Latin America and one of several measures that have put the city and its leaders at odds with the more conservative country. 'This ...

On the day when Washington D.C. saw its first same-sex marriages, the Economist has created this handy chart — pulled together by the HRC and the Williams Institute — that tells us where and how our relationships are recognized, from full marriage to partnerships. (Not sure I’m feeling the rose . . . .) ...

"Indeed, legally creating a union does not enable two men or two women to become “one flesh,” nor does a legal ceremony give the union sanctity. Instead, the ceremony creates a sham that will devalue all marriages. The government establishes “standards” for measurement and value; to declare a sham union equal to marriage would devalue the “standard” and render all unions worthless and irrelevant. If the U.S. government establishes same-sex “marriages” under law, it will be redefining marriage — completely and irrevocably. Such a powerful statement will contradict the prevailing social science research: There is a big difference between 1) ...

Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler appeared on FOX5 late last week to discuss his opinion that the state could recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...(via good as you) ...

UPDATE 2:50 P.M.: Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler (D) says effective immediately the state recognizes same-sex marriages performed elsewhere and state agencies should begin giving gay couples the rights they were awarded elsewhere.UPDATE 10:25 a.m.: Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr. (D-Montgomery), who requested the opinion from Gansler, said in a brief interview that he was unsure whether there would be any immediate ramifications."It's reaffirmation of what we thought, that Maryland can recognize gay marriage," Madaleno said.He said that changes in state policy could result from a court ruling, legislation or administrative action.Original Post: A long-awaited opinion by Maryland Attorney ...

For those wondering whether yesterday's Attorney General opinion will bring out-of-state marriage recognition to Maryland: Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler (D) declared Wednesday that Maryland will recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere and that its agencies should immediately begin affording gay married couples the same rights as heterosexual ones. Maryland to recognize gay marriages from other places [WaPo] (H/t: Towle) So welcome, Maryland, to the odd reality that allows recognition, yet exports the joy and commerce that comes from actual weddings. We in New York have come to know it as -- well, we've come to know it ...

"The pink mountain" is a new term to refer to the tallest mountain on Earth Mount Everest. The mountain which stretches to several border countries lies partly in Nepal which recently legalized same-sex marriage and is now building a gay tourist industry around offering same-sex marriages on the mount. ...

Hearings on three pro-marriage equality bills that some activists had criticized as "show hearings" (because the bills aren't expected to leave committee) were held today at the Minnesota Capitol: "A proposal introduced by Rep. Joe Mullery, DFL-Minneapolis, would allow two consenting adults to enter into 'civil union contracts,' regardless of their gender. Another bill, put forth by Rep. Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, would recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states as legally valid in Minnesota. But the most far-reaching legislation would legalize gay marriage by removing gender-based terminology in existing state statute. The measure was introduced by Rep. ...

Gays In Japan Stay In The Closet Bisexual Jamaican Man Faces Deportation from Canada Gay Episcopal Bishop-Elect Reverend Canon Mary Douglas Glasspool Nears Confirmation Gay Gainesville mayoral candidate Craig Lowe subject of smear campaign Argentina: Highest Court ready to back same-sex marriages, says justice, but there’s one caveat… New Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell strips LGBT state workers of job protections ...

In a Sean Hannity segment, Oliver North warns of NAMBLA members entering the U.S. military if "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is repealed, Think Progress reports. Says North: "Barack Obama now intents to treat [our soldiers] like lab rats in a radical social experiment, and it can be very, very detrimental. In other words, this isn’t about rights. This isn’t about fairness. It’s all about national security. And apparently, Mr. Obama has forgotten it. Now, here’s what’s next. NAMBLA members, same-sex marriages. Are chaplains in the U.S. military going to be required to perform those kinds of rituals? Do they ...

He's the administrator of a Christian school. He's a Republican. And in Indiana, he's the senator who is seeking to change the state's constitution so that it more fully turns into a weapon against loving gay couples. Meet Carlin Yoder and his hurtful handiwork: he Indiana Senate revived a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages Thursday, approving the measure and sending it to the House, where it's likely to meet a quick death. The 38-10 vote marked the fourth time the Senate has approved such a provision, which must be approved by two separately elected legislatures and voters before being placed into the ...

Source: change.org By Juliet Blalack While in Malawi a gay couple sits in jail for their marriage, in Manila, House Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr. is pushing a bill that would criminalize gay marriage in the Philippines. Never mind that same-sex marriages (or even civil unions) aren't recognized in the Philippines yet. Apparently the possibility of gay couples having private ceremonies is keeping Abante up at night. House Bill 6919 recommends punishments for both the couple applying for a marriage license and the minister officiating the ceremony. If the bill passes, the newlyweds could get sentenced to up to 15 years ...

The following interview is one of the most epic FAILs of a marriage "debate" we have ever seen on any sort of television. For starters: The interviewer, Bray Cary, begins the piece (and what a piece it is) by comparing same-sex marriages to those which might exist between "a pig and a cow" or "a man and his brother." No, we're not kidding. And we all know that once the pigs fly out of a mouth, one knows that objectivity is going to fly right out the window. Which is exactly what happens in the clip, with Cary ...

International pressure (such as calls from Amnesty International for their unconditional and immediate release) will not persuade the government of Malawi to stop prosecution of a gay couple who were arrested after holding an engagement ceremony, the Washington Post reports: "In a statement Monday, Malawi's Information Minister Leckford Mwanza Thoto made no apology for the laws that criminalize homosexual acts. He said Steven Monjeza and Tiwonge Chimbalanga were 'clearly breaking the laws of Malawi.' ... 'As government we cannot interfere in the court process,' Thoto said. 'We depend on our Western friends, yes, but we are a ...

Current laws aren't discriminatory enough for Governor Fortuño: "While Puerto Rican laws already ban same-sex marriages and prohibit the recognition of same-sex marriages from other jurisdictions, religious organizations fear the laws could be changed by future governing administrations and thus are seeking a constitutional ban on gay marriages....Previous attempts at the local Legislature to approve a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, such as the so-called Resolution 99, have failed...Gay rights activist Pedro Julio Serrano blasted the governor over his position on same-sex marriage. 'Finally, we learn the truth about his posture on Resolution 99. For months, he hid behind a language so as not to appear ...

Prince Edward Island finally updated their lawbooks over the holidays in recognition of same-sex couples for 29 pieces of legislation. While same-sex marriages have been legal in the province since federal law changed in 2006, spouses were still referred to as “husband and wife” and “man and woman” in provincial documents and laws until now. There was no reason given for the nearly four year delay, but the change means that vital statistics, birth certificates, and other provincial documents and departments will now have accurate data. Well, I’m glad to see you’ve joined the rest of the country, Island! (I can call ...

Portugal's parliament has approved a same-sex marriage bill, the AP reports: "The Socialist government's bill won the support of all left-of-center parties Friday. Right-of-center parties opposed the change and argued it should be put to a national referendum. The proposed law now goes to conservative President Anibal Cavaco Silva who can ratify or veto it, but a veto can be overturned by Parliament. Its approval would make Portugal the sixth European country to allow same-sex marriages. Prime Minister Jose Socrates said the measure is part of his effort to modernize Portugal. Two years ago his government lifted Portugal's ban on abortion."Unfortunately, ...

New Hampshire's gay and lesbian couples are expected to gather throughout the night to ring in the start of the new year with champagne and wedding bells as New Hampshire's gay marriage law takes effect at midnight.The law, which was signed by Governo... ...