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 …
Church Circle filled with more than 250 people who came to protest a demonstration against same-sex marriage by the Westboro Baptist Church.
More than 250 counter-protesters greeted four members of the controversial Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) with signs, church hymns and cookies in Annapolis on Wednesday morning. The WBC group came to Maryland's capital to protest at the Anne Arundel Circuit Court on Church Circle against same-sex marriage. Maryland voters upheld a law legalizing gay marriage in November, but the law took effect Tuesday. Since state offices were closed for New Year's Day, Wednesday was the first time couples could marry inside the courthouse. Shirley Phelps-Roper, the daughter of church founder Fred Phelps, sang songs and shouted that God sent the shooter to Newtown, CT, as Annapolis police officers kept passersby moving along the sidewalk in front of 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…
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Married same-sex couples who reside in Maryland can file jointly in 2014.
Same-sex married couples in Maryland will be able to file joint tax returns but they'll have to wait a year to do so. Comptroller Peter Franchot said Wednesday in a statement that "same-sex couples in the State of Maryland – whether married in this state or in other states – will have the opportunity to file joint tax returns for Tax Year 2013, and will receive the same state tax treatment as any married couple." The comptroller issued the statement a day after a Washington Times story reported that same-sex couples in Maryland would not be eligible to file jointly. Franchot said the story "contained significant misinformation regarding the tax filing status of same-sex couples in Maryland." That story raises questions about Maryland's tax…
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Here's a quick look back at the biggest headlines of the week in Annapolis.<br>
No. 1—Same Sex Couples Register to Marry in Annapolis Three people visited the Circuit Courthouse in Annapolis to pick up a marriage license on the first day they were available to same-sex couples. The licenses will not be valid until Jan. 1 when the law, upheld by voters in November, takes effect. No. 2—Police Seek Suspect in Drug Store Thefts Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Police are searching for a man in connection with a series of thefts from area drug stores. He is described as a black male in his 40s to early 50s. He has a gray, goatee-style beard and is between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet 2 inches. No. 3—Religious Wedding Vendor Seeks Exemption for Gay Marriages An Annapolis wedding vendor plans to ask Maryland's General …
Thursday, December 6, 2012
The licenses will become effective on Jan. 1, 2013.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Discover Annapolis Tours says they have shut down their wedding services—which earn the company $50,000 a year—indefinitely.
An Annapolis wedding vendor plans to ask Maryland's General Assembly to give his company and others like him the right to refuse services to gay couples on religious grounds. In November, Marylanders voted to uphold a law, passed by the General Assembly during the 2012 legislative session, that legalized same-sex marriages starting Jan. 1. "The law exempts my minister from doing same-sex weddings, and the Knights of Columbus don’t have to rent out their hall for a gay wedding reception, but somehow my religious convictions don’t count for anything," Discover Annapolis Tours owner Matt Grubbs wrote in an email. The email was provided to Patch by Chris Belkot on Nov. 29. He received it from Grubbs after Belkot inquired about using the …
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
DREAM Act, expanded gambling and congressional redistricting also survive referendum challenges.
UPDATED (2:26 a.m.)—Same-sex marriage is the law in Maryland. The passage of the controversial law was the biggest win among a list of six other statewide ballot questions including the DREAM Act, expanded gambling and congressional redistricting that all also passed. Gov. Martin O'Malley took to the podium to address the Question 6 victory party at The Soundstage in Baltimore early Wednesday to chants of his last name. O'Malley thanked the crowd for all they had done "in this noble battle to move Maryland Forward." The governor praised supporters for all their hard work and for securing support for the controversial ballot question by talking to their families and their religious institutions. "You were carrying this banner of human …
Thursday, October 18, 2012
How will you vote on the Congressional redistricting plan on Nov. 6?
In addition to more notable referendum questions such as same-sex marriage, DREAM Act and expanded gambling, Maryland voters will also be asked to decide the fate of the state's recently redrawn congressional districts. Earlier this week, Comptroller Peter Franchot announced he intends to vote against the maps and asked voters to do the same. The comptroller said the recent maps drawn by Gov. Martin O'Malley and approved by the General Assembly are unfair and make Maryland "the poster child for gerrymandering." A spokeswoman for the governor noted that the maps have survived a number of challenges in the courts and that the process used to create them is legally sound. Voters on Nov. 6 will be asked to vote for the referred law or against …
Friday, June 15, 2012
Patch covers the candidates, incumbents and issues that will be affecting Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.
As we look ahead to November’s elections, Annapolis Patch is devoted to bring you the information you need about every race in town. Here's our start on the candidates and issues we'll be covering as November draws near. Bookmark this page for updates. The Dream Act: This legislation would allow illegal immigrant students to pay in-state tuition at institutions in the University System of Maryland if their parents filed to pay state taxes, if they attended a Maryland high school for at least three years and if they graduated. Passed by the General Assembly in 2011, opponents launched a petition effort that blocked the legislation from taking effect and landed it on the 2012 ballot as a voter referendum. Legislators from District 21 in …
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 ›