[JURIST] The Wyoming House of Representatives on Monday approved a bill [text, PDF] that would prevent Wyoming from recognizing same-sex marriages [JURIST news archive] and civil unions performed out-of-state. House Bill 74, Validity of Marriage, was passed by a 32-27 House vote and will now be turned over to the Senate. The Wyoming House of Representatives has rejected similar legislation [Star-Tribune report] twice in recent years. Opponents of the bill organized an “Equality Rally” in Casper, Wyoming to protest the legislation [Star-Tribune report].

Several states recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages. Earlier this month, New Mexico Attorney General Gary King [official website] issued an opinion stating that gay marriages from out of state would likely be legal [The New Mexico Independent report] there. In February, Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler [official website] declared that Maryland should recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere [JURIST report]. Same-sex marriage is currently legal in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire and Washington DC [JURIST reports].