Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Three couples tied the knot at the Anne Arundel Circuit Court in Annapolis.
Three sets of newlyweds became the first same-sex couples to say "I do" inside the chapel at the Anne Arundel Circuit Courthouse in Annapolis on Wednesday. Marylanders voted to uphold a law legalizing gay marriage in November, but it didn't take effect until Tuesday. With state offices closed for New Year's Day, Wednesday was the first time couples could marry at the courthouse. "It's kinda weird right now," Shantel Graves said. "It's kinda like I never saw her before; never kissed her before. It's all brand new." Graves married Jerica Pope, her girlfriend of three years, in a private ceremony on Wednesday afternoon. The couple plans to have a formal wedding and reception near their home in Glen Burnie in April. When they got engaged, the …
Monday, December 31, 2012
Some deputy clerks in St. Mary's County have asked to be excused from performing gay marriages. No Anne Arundel County employees have come forward.
As circuit courts across Maryland prepare for the first same-sex couples to wed, some public employees are asking to be excused from performing the ceremonies. Deputy clerks in St. Mary's County have asked to be excused citing their religious opposition to gay marriage, according to The Washington Examiner. Circuit Court Clerk Joan Williams told The Examiner that she decided to excuse those employees from performing any marriage ceremonies, saying she respects their decision. Maryland voters upheld a law legalizing gay marriage on Nov. 6. The law goes into effect on Jan. 1, but Circuit Courts across Maryland will be closed. The first time same-sex couples will be able to wed at the courthouses will be on Jan. 2. None of the eight employees…
Monday, December 17, 2012
The controversial church plans to protest the first day of same sex marriage at the Anne Arundel Circuit Court.
UPDATE: (10:50 a.m.)—The controversial Westboro Baptist Church has announced plans to protest outside of the Anne Arundel Circuit Court on Jan 2.—the first day same-sex couples will be able to wed there. "On that day the court starts committing that abomination that brings the shooter like it did in Connecticut," said Shirley Phelps-Roper, the daughter of the church's founder Fred Phelps. "It isn’t like this is Maryland’s first flip off of God. Maryland has the distinction of being the state that put Westboro Baptist Church on trial." Maryland voters upheld a law legalizing gay marriage on Nov. 6, and couples began obtaining licenses on Dec. 6—the day Gov. Martin O'Malley certified November's elections results. The law takes effect Jan. 1…
Friday, December 7, 2012
Three couples registered for the county's first same-sex marriage licenses at the Circuit Court on Church Circle.
Walking into the Circuit Court in Annapolis on Thursday, Scott Bowling paused to reflect on the gravity of the moment. "It was very touching to walk into that courthouse to register for my marriage license and stand inside the chapel knowing that in less than 30 days same-sex couples will be able to get married there," Bowling said. "It is a great day in Maryland." Bowling, 41, was one of three people who visited the courthouse to pick up a license on the first day they were available to same-sex couples. Maryland voters upheld a law legalizing gay marriage on Nov. 6, but questions quickly arose about whether couples would be able to obtain a license before Jan. 1 when the law goes into effect, according to The Baltimore Sun. The …
S C Eastport
8:16 am on Monday, January 7, 2013
Congratulations to ALL loving couples who are getting hitched! I'm proud to live in a state that is offering equality to ALL of her citizens! more ›