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Many same sex couples have begun getting marriage licenses in Maryland, though they won't go into effect until Jan. 1. Officials began issuing marriage licenses to couples today after Gov. Martin O'Malley signed a proclamation, according to the Associated Press.
Kim Hinken was the first person to get a marriage license in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court on Thursday morning. The 52-year-old Edgewater resident says she has waited nearly 10 years to become legally married.
O'Malley's proclamation affirmed that Maryland voters approved same-sex marriage in a ballot question last month.
Heather Ware and Tiffany DeVore were the first to get a marriage license in Allegany County on Thursday. Ware described the day as "more exciting than Christmas.''
Attorney General Doug Gansler wrote in a legal opinion last week that O'Malley's signature will officially enable couples to get marriage licenses.
Clerks of court in Maryland counties will not be required to issue licenses before the Jan. 1 effective date of the law, Gansler noted. Montgomery County and Baltimore city, two of Maryland's largest jurisdictions, will begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples Thursday.
James Gandolfini Dies; 'Sopranos' Actor Was 51
Actor James Gandolfini, 51, has reportedly died. Variety magazine reports that he suffered a "sudden stroke." The cause of death is not yet known with certainty, but HBO says the actor may have suffered a heart attack.And The Winner Of The World Food Prize Is ... The Man From Monsanto
The prize is sometimes called the "Nobel Prize for food and agriculture." And this year's winners include Monsanto executive Robert Fraley, a pioneer in genetically engineered crops. If there's a single person who personifies the company's controversial role in American agriculture, it's probably Fraley.Meet The New Governor: Sharply Partisan And Upwardly Mobile
For years, governors were considered the most pragmatic figures in politics. Now, they're using their states to run ideological experiments.Microsoft Responds To Fan Outcry, Changes Xbox One Policies
Microsoft has changed policies regarding Internet connection and used game capabilities for its upcoming Xbox One gaming console. The company says it is responding to feedback from consumers.Leave a Comment
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