Same-sex couples in Maryland were greeted with cheers and noisemakers held over from New Year’s Eve parties, as gay marriage became legal in the first state south of the Mason-Dixon Line on New Year’s Day.
James Scales, 68, was married to William Tasker, 60, on Tuesday shortly after midnight by Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake inside City Hall.
“It’s just so hard to believe it’s happening,” Scales said shortly before marrying his partner of 35 years.
Six other same-sex couples also were being married at City Hall in the state of Maryland. Ceremonies were taking place in other parts of the state as well.
Same-sex couples in Maryland was able to get a marriage licenses since Dec. 6, 2012 but they did not take effect until Today (January 1, 2013).
In total, nine states and the District of Columbia have approved same-sex marriage. The other states are Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont.
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