Same-Sex Ceremonies Headline The New Year In Maryland

There are many passed down traditions and activities that people engage in to bring in the new year, and in Maryland, when the clock struck midnight there was added celebration for some. In the recent elections three states (Maine, Washington, Maryland) passed legislation that legalized same-sex marriages, with Maryland being the last to make it official by declaring it effective on January 1^st.

In the Baltimore City Hall, roughly 14 people showed up at midnight to bring in the new year in same-sex wedded matrimony. Some of the ceremonies were officiated by Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, including the very first service in which she married two male city employees who have 35 years invested in their relationship.

Licensing for homosexuals to be married were made available beginning on December 6^th in anticipation of the law being officially implemented on January 1^st.

Currently there are nine states that approve same-sex marriages, with President Barack Obama pushing to make his home state of Illinois the next to approve.

Tags: homosexual, government, same-sex marrigag, president barack obama, maryland, legislation

Category: Ministry News