As of New Year’s Day, same-sex marriages, or gay marriages, were officially recognized in the state of Maryland.

After receiving the go ahead on Elections Day 2012, the state decided it would legally recognize equal marriage rights come the New Year.

Gay and lesbian couples wasted no time getting started despite a controversial decision by Maryland Trolley Company, Discover Annapolis tours to stop offering wedding services as a way of expressing their disapproval for the movement to advance equal marriage rights in the United States.

Discover Annapolis Tours owner explained in an email:

“We are not able to lend support to gay marriages”

“And as a public accommodation, we cannot discriminate between gay or straight couples, so we had to stop doing all wedding transportation.”

Clayton Zook married his partner, Wayne McKenzie, of six years. He commented:

“We’ve been together for six and a half years, so this one day doesn’t really change a whole lot as far as our feelings,”

“It does change a whole lot in how we are recognized, and we’re certainly felt more as equal in the state of Maryland now.”

Unlike straight couples, couples in the GLBTQ community are often forced to jump through hoops when faced with financial, educational, or even citizenship related issues.

Video Credit: YouTube

Sources: Huffington Post, Washington Post, LA Times

With changes in same-sex marriage recognition, gay and lesbian couples may be able to receive some legal benefits straight couples are afforded through marriage now that more and more states in the United States continue to adopt laws enforcing equal marriage rights.