Did you Expect This??

WASHINGTON — Maryland's
highest court is poised to hear arguments in a precedent-setting case
involving two women who married in California but were denied a divorce
in Maryland, which does not currently allow same-sex weddings.

The
Court of Appeals of Maryland in Annapolis was set to hear arguments
Friday from lawyers for the lesbian couple who are seeking to end their
marriage. A Maryland judge declined to grant their divorce in 2010,
basing his decision on the conclusion that the women's marriage is not
valid under Maryland law.

But lawyers for the women disagree,
saying the state should recognize gay marriages performed elsewhere even
though Maryland does not allow same-sex weddings at the present time.
As a result, the couple should be allowed to divorce in the state, the
lawyers say.

The high court's ultimate decision may have limited
effect since same-sex weddings, and by extension divorces, are set to
start in the state in January 2013 under a law passed this year. But
opponents of the new law are seeking to overturn it in a potential voter
referendum.

Meanwhile, judges in Maryland are inconsistent about
granting divorces for gay couples who married in another state. Lawyers
involved in Friday's case say they believe judges have granted about a
half a dozen divorces for gay couples, but their clients, Jessica Port
and Virginia Anne Cowan, and at least one other couple were recently
denied that.