Any expansion in marriage equality is welcome news--and today's welcome news comes from Maryland, where Democratic Attorney General has opined that same-sex marriages performed elsewhere shall be recognized in valid:
UPDATE 2:50 P.M.: Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler (D) says effective immediately the state recognizes same-sex marriages performed elsewhere and state agencies should begin giving gay couples the rights they were awarded elsewhere.
UPDATE 10:25 a.m.: Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr. (D-Montgomery), who requested the opinion from Gansler, said in a brief interview that he was unsure whether there would be any immediate ramifications.
"It's reaffirmation of what we thought, that Maryland can recognize gay marriage," Madaleno said.
He said that changes in state policy could result from a court ruling, legislation or administrative action.
Note that this opinion does not make it legal to form same-sex marriages in Maryland--but same-sex couples who get married legally in other states will now have legal rights upon residence in Maryland. At this very moment, Pat Robertson is likely praying constantly for Maryland to experience a subterranean volcano that sends it into the Chesapeake, because that's how much he loves America.