M-a-r-r-y Land Celebrates New Year with its First Gay Marriages

7 GL Couples Wed in Maryland

The first state south of the Mason-Dixon line married seven couples on January 2, 2013.  Maryland is one of  nine states and the District of Columbia which have approved same-sex marriage. Voters of this state narrowly passed a November referendum legalizing same-sex marriage. Maryland’s same-sex couples have been able to get marriage licenses since December 6, but they did not take effect until Tuesday, January 1, 12:01 a.m..

History of Maryland’s Fight for Equality:  Governor O’Malley vs. Catholics

In 2011, Governor O’Malley fight for same-sex marriage legislation found him pitted against Catholics opposed to gay marriage. Archbishop Edwin O’Brien of Baltimore wrote that same-sex marriage went against the Governor’s faith, to which O’Malley replied “ when shortcomings in our laws bring about a result that is unjust, there is a public obligation to try to change that injustice.”

Same-sex marriage legislation in 2011 passed in the Senate, but stalled in the House of Delegates.  That summer, O’Malley announced that he would consider backing a measure that would exempt religious institutions from marrying gay couples – similar to New York’s law. In March, the Governor signed the law that passed in the House last February.  Opponents of the bill petitioned with enough signatures to put the bill to a statewide vote, which passed narrowly, with a 52% in favor. (Maine and Washington state also approved same-sex marriage with a popular vote on Election Day.)

Baltimore’s City Hall Was Busy New Year’s Day

The first couple to take advantage of the new law was James Scales and William Tasker.  They have been together for thirty-five years.  Scales, age 68, had worked  for the Mayor’s office for twenty-five years and was married by Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake who commented that “true marriage, true marriage, is the dearest of all earthly relationships. There are so many people who have a chance now to have the life they wanted.”

The mayor also married Scott Eichinger and Jason Lott who were sweethearts for thirteen years.  The Cheverly same-sex couple, who had a commitment ceremony eight years ago in D.C., also wed on January 2^nd, followed by a reception in their home.  Ceremonies took place in other parts of Maryland as well.

The Wedding Crashers – Not as Much Fun as Vince Vaughn!

Not all were pleased with the legalization of same-sex marriage in Maryland.  As their wont, the extremist Westboro Church, famous for their demonstrations at military gravesides as well as churches, tried to picket Maryland courthouses on Wednesday, January 2^nd, when courthouses began to perform same-sex marriages in Maryland.  Online, the church posted that it was targeting Maryland and that it “brings these words of warning, knowing they may be the last you get  Your duty is to fear and obey God, and do it like you mean it, with joy and gladness.”

Counter Insurrection

At the Baltimore County Circuit Courthouse, the church was met by dozens who said they didn’t want anybody’s wedding to be ruined.  In Annapoils, four Westboro Church travelers were greeted by 250 protestors, many of whom were Baptists,,Presbyterians, Unitarians, as well as High School students who were excused from class to protest the hatred of gays.

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