Gay couples can wed Jan. 1 in Maryland in willing counties, state lawyers say

A legal hurdle was removed Thursday for gay couples hoping to wed in Maryland at the stroke of midnight Jan. 1., the day the state’s new marriage equality law takes effect. In a lengthy opinion, the state attorney general’s office said it is permissible for clerks of county courts to start processing marriage licenses a few days ahead of time to facilitate New Year’s Day marriages and comply with a waiting period in Maryland law. The opinion leaves it to counties to decide whether to make such an accommodation, however.