Statement from Attorney General Doug Gansler

Baltimore, MD ( Dec. 7, 2012) - This afternoon the United States Supreme Court announced the decision to hear two cases on the issue of marriage equality.

"We are not surprised that the Supreme Court granted a hearing on this issue. We are optimistic that the Supreme Court will determine that the prohibition against same-sex couples enjoying life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness violates the Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution.

The Maryland legislature passed marriage equality, the citizens of Maryland voted for and validated marriage equality and now we anticipate that the Supreme Court will expand marriage equality throughout the United States."