Same-Sex Couples Ready To Say 'I Do' On New Year's Day
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Wedding bells are in the air. Many same-sex couples are getting ready to tie the knot. On New Year's Day, the unions will be legal.
Adam May has more.
After eight years together, Michael Pennoyer and Dennis Collins plan to make it official.
"It's everything Maryland fought for for a long time," Collins said.
They're just one of many couples heading to City Hall. Some will get hitched moments after the stroke of midnight New Year's Day, when the law goes into effect.
"I was campaigning in favor of Question 6. One of the things I talked about was how nice it would be to celebrate at City Hall, and I was approached about it and I'm looking forward to it," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
Same-sex weddings in Maryland are expected to generate up to $90 million a year for the state economy. Many long-term couples have been waiting years.
"Yes, eight years is a long time," Collins said.
"Nothing's going to change, but just the legality of it," Pennoyer said.
Meanwhile, the federal government still does not recognize same-sex marriage, but the Supreme Court will consider it in the new year. Advocates hope for another victory.
"Everything is shifting in favor of same-sex marriage," an advocate said.
Their decision, which could extend federal benefits and tax breaks, is expected before June.
Many couples from out-of-state, especially Virginia and Pennsylvania, are expected to get married in Maryland over the next couple of months.
