Pissed-off Governor Robert Ehrlich; plaintiffs Stacey Kargman-Kaye with Jodi Kelber-Kaye, pictured with one of their two sons. Photo on R: Leigh H. Mosley

God, it’s great to be able to post some good news, after this horrible week of bullsh*t. (Wash Blade):

Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich is already promising to fight the ruling today by a Baltimore Circuit Court that a 1973 state law that limits marriage to a man and woman is unconstitutional.

“After much study and serious reflection, this court holds that Maryland’s statutory prohibition against same-sex marriage cannot withstand this constitutional challenge,” ruled Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Brooke M. Murdock, in an opinion issued this morning.

“[The ban] violates Article 46 of the Maryland Declaration of Rights because it discriminates, based on gender against a suspected class; and is not narrowly tailored to serve any compelling governmental interests.”

The suit, Deane and Polyak vs. Conaway, was filed in July 2004 by the American Civil Liberties Union and Equality Maryland. Nine gay Maryland couples and one man whose partner died have joined the suit.

Related:
* MD: Suit opens challenging state’s prohibition of same-sex marriage