Maryland Governor Would Recognize Gay Marriages

Maryland governor Martin O'Malley said Monday that he is open to recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states, according to WTOP-FM.

"I think that it's very difficult to deny equal rights to people when it comes to rights that are disbursed by a government rather than a faith or a church," O'Malley told the radio station’s Ask the Governor program. "If the person has these rights under another state, I think we're sort of pressed to deny those rights. So, yes, we probably should respect those rights."

Maryland attorney general Douglas F. Gansler is expected to issue a formal opinion soon on whether the state can recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. O’Mally said on Monday that he would follow the opinion, should it recommend that the state recognize the marriages.

O'Malley, a Democrat, has expressed support for legalizing civil unions in Maryland, but he has not supported same-sex marriage.

His remarks came just as Washington, D.C. prepared to begin recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere on Tuesday.