Highlights
Same-sex marriage refers to two people of the same sex living together as a family. Advocates of gay marriage believe gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families deserve the same respect, recognition and protections as all other families. Other terms for this type of relationship include gay marriage, gender-neutral marriage, equal marriage, lesbian marriage, same-sex civil union, marriage equality, homosexual marriage, single-sex marriage, civil partnership or same-gender marriage.
As of November 2007, same-sex couples in the U.S. could marry only in the state of Massachusetts. There are currently lawsuits seeking marriage for same-sex couples in California, Connecticut, Iowa...
As of November 2007, same-sex couples in the U.S. could marry only in the state of Massachusetts. There are currently lawsuits seeking marriage for same-sex couples in California, Connecticut, Iowa...
Same-sex marriage refers to two people of the same sex living together as a family. Advocates of gay marriage believe gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender families deserve the same respect, recognition and protections as all other families. Other terms for this type of relationship include gay marriage, gender-neutral marriage, equal marriage, lesbian marriage, same-sex civil union, marriage equality, homosexual marriage, single-sex marriage, civil partnership or same-gender marriage.
As of November 2007, same-sex couples in the U.S. could marry only in the state of Massachusetts. There are currently lawsuits seeking marriage for same-sex couples in California, Connecticut, Iowa and Maryland. Other states offer broad family recognition laws. Civil unions, which grant the same legal rights as heterosexual couples, can be granted to same-sex couples in Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey and New Hampshire. Domestic partnerships also are legal in California and Oregon. In 1996, Congress passed and President Bill Clinton signed into law the Defense of Marriage Act, which says that no state is required to honor same sex marriages performed in other states. It also seeks to restrict how marriage is defined or interpreted under federal law to a legal union between one man and one woman. Many states also have passed both a statue and constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage or other forms of partner recognition in addition to marriage, like domestic partnership and civil unions. Same-sex couples, even those recognized by their states, are denied as many as 1,138 federal benefits available to or required of married opposite-sex couples.
As of November 2007, same-sex couples in the U.S. could marry only in the state of Massachusetts. There are currently lawsuits seeking marriage for same-sex couples in California, Connecticut, Iowa and Maryland. Other states offer broad family recognition laws. Civil unions, which grant the same legal rights as heterosexual couples, can be granted to same-sex couples in Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey and New Hampshire. Domestic partnerships also are legal in California and Oregon. In 1996, Congress passed and President Bill Clinton signed into law the Defense of Marriage Act, which says that no state is required to honor same sex marriages performed in other states. It also seeks to restrict how marriage is defined or interpreted under federal law to a legal union between one man and one woman. Many states also have passed both a statue and constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage or other forms of partner recognition in addition to marriage, like domestic partnership and civil unions. Same-sex couples, even those recognized by their states, are denied as many as 1,138 federal benefits available to or required of married opposite-sex couples.
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Engaged: Amy Lanasa and Claire Klossner
Engaged: Amy Lanasa and Claire Klossner Their relationship began with their first date, a low-key picnic held indoors because of the August heat. These two interpreters for the deaf say their relationship began with their first date, a low-key picnic...Tags: Science, Prince William County, Dining and Drinking, Manassas (Manassas, Virginia), Colleges and Universities
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Same-sex marriage vote risks tyranny of the majority
Soon, there will be no separation of church and state if Maryland's same-sex marriage law goes to a referendum. The state is permitting a congregation of folks to impose their religious beliefs on the secular public. We don't need a math teacher to...Tags: Separation of Church and State, Church and State Relations
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Same-sex marriage opponents are bigots, not 'activists'
I cannot tell you how disturbing I found the recent article describing the petition against Maryland's same-sex marriage law ("Activists exceed petition target," May 30). The suggestion that a group of people going around the state and collecting...Tags: Minority Groups, Discrimination, Activism, Marriage, Family
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Redistricting map foes say they've passed first test
Opponents of the congressional redistricting plan devised by Gov. Martin O'Malley and General Assembly leaders said Thursday they have passed the first test for putting the measure on the November ballot by gathering enough voters' signatures to keep...Tags: Voting, Regional Authority, DREAM Act, Parties and Movements, Illegal Immigrants
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Marriage equality and civil rights
Recent polls show that the margin of support for same-sex marriage has increased in recent weeks, with one survey showing that 57 percent of Maryland voters now say they're likely to support the state's same-sex marriage law if, as expected, it is put...Tags: NAACP, Minority Groups, Racism, Marriage, Family
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Good afternoon, Baltimore: Tuesday lunchtime lowdown
ON THE SITE... Swimmer's body found by Natural Resources police: The body of Brandon M. Greene, 21, of Edgewood, was recovered by the Maryland Natural Resources Police Monday. Greene was reported missing while swimming shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday near...Tags: Conservation, Natural Resource Industry, Leon Panetta, Lacrosse, College Sports
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Commencement speakers: the rude, the unfunny and the insightful
Commencement season is the college equivalent of the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Institutions from the Ivy League to the local community college scramble to lure the shiniest star they can to their podiums on graduation day. And the match-ups...
Tags: Michael Bloomberg, Graduation, Lindsay Lohan, Jenna Bush Hager, Virginia Tech
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Same-sex marriage opponents gather twice the signatures needed for referendum
Activists working to repeal Maryland's same-sex marriage law have collected more than twice the signatures needed for a referendum — likely ensuring that the measure will be on the ballot for voters to decide in November. The law's opponents...
Tags: Minority Groups, NAACP, Voting, Montgomery County (Maryland), Frederick (Frederick, Maryland)
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Letter: Pursuit of happiness for everyone
Editor: The purpose of my letter is to convey my disgust with those individuals pursuing repeal of the Same-Sex Marriage legislation, The Aegis, May 23, 2012. Their use of "their" religious dogma to deny others basic human rights is appalling. This...Tags: Thomas Jefferson, Separation of Church and State, Church and State Relations, Human Rights, U.S. Army
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Good morning, Baltimore: Need to know for Wednesday
WEATHER
Today's forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies and a high temperature near 84 degrees. Wednesday night is expected to be partly cloudy, with a low temperature around 63 degrees.
TRAFFIC
Check our traffic updates for this morning's issues as you...Tags: Matt Wieters, Toronto Blue Jays, Wars and Interventions, Baltimore Orioles, Weather Reports
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Letter: Law protects many freedoms
Editor: In your article on Harford County's push to repeal the Civil Marriage Protection Act, it is clear that a great deal of confusion surrounds the civil discourse of this ground-breaking law. First and foremost, the Civil Marriage Protection Act...Tags: Marriage, Christianity, Family, Civil Rights
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New poll by same-sex marriage advocates shows gains
//UPDATE: This post has been changed to add more information about the methodology of the poll. A new automated poll released today by gay advocates shows 57 percent of Marylanders would support same-sex marriage at the ballot box and 37 percent would...Tags: Voting, Marriage, Family, ABC (tv network), Gays and Lesbians
Jun 1, 2012
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May 29, 2012
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May 28, 2012
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May 30, 2012
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May 24, 2012
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