[JURIST] Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge M. Brooke Murdock [official profile] on Friday ruled [opinion, PDF] against a 1973 state law that prohibits same-sex marriage [JURIST news archive], declaring that the statute subjects the plaintiff couples to a discriminatory classification based solely on their sexual orientation. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) [official website] filed the case [JURIST report] last July on behalf of 19 gay men and women challenging the constitutionality of the law. Judge Murdock granted summary judgment to the plaintiffs in the case [ACLU materials], but stayed the decision pending any appeal because of its potential effects. The Maryland Attorney General [official website] has announced plans to appeal the decision and the state General Assembly [official website] recently began its 90-day session, and will likely take up the issue. The Washington Post has more.