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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Supreme Court Decision to Impact Same-Sex Couples in Maryland

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Wednesday, March 27, 2013   

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - They just celebrated a monumental marriage equality victory at the ballot box. Now, same-sex couples in Maryland are looking for another win at the U.S. Supreme Court.

The justices heard arguments about the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

Activist Jamie McGonnigal, founder of TalkAboutEquality.com, said the law denies legal rights at the federal level for same-sex couples, even in states such as Maryland where their marriage is considered legal.

"We could miraculously pass marriage equality in all 50 states tomorrow," he said, "and, because of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, those couples are still missing more than 1,100 rights and responsibilities that are granted by the federal government."

McGonnigal said the law often means same-sex couples get unfair treatment when it comes to federal tax and immigration policies. It's especially painful, he said, when one partner dies and the surviving partner suffers financially because of the different rules.

"The stories go on and on and on," he said, "and so, some legal recognition on the federal level is vital to Maryland couples."

The Supreme Court's decision is expected in June. The case, Hollingsworth v. Perry, is online at supremecourt.gov.


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