Extremely interesting that this backlash is occuring in liberal Maryland. Of course the “law” sill stand until the people start calling and writing to their legislators and demand they repeal it.
The MD Court of Appeals decided gay divorce within MD on Article IV of the US Constitution.
Article IV:
Section 1.
Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And the Congress may by general laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.
Section 2.
The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states.
The MD Court of Appeals interpreted this to mean that MD had to recognize gay marriages certified by other states, even though gay marriage is not permitted in MD.
As such, gay married couples who move to MD [and then want to divorce] are allowed to do so since MD recognizes these out-of-state gay marriages as valid in MD.
The MD Court of Appeals ruling is the law as of now, notwithstanding acts of the legislature and/or further judicial review at higher levels.
OTOH, gay marriage [within MD] itself will be up for referendum in November. As of now, it will be legal in January - unless overturned at the ballot box.
'Course, the MD Court of Appeals could then step in and declare the repeal [if passed at the ballot box] as unconstitutional - which would then put MD in line [along with CA] on the way to SCOTUS for a final decision.
The Definition of Marriage needs to be elevated to Constitutional status via amendment. There are already 31 states with their constitutions aligned. An amendment would require 38 for ratification. With a determined campaign, we could get them. And put this abomination to rest once and for all.
Maryland “Freak State” PING!