Western county extends same-sex benefits

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) - Washington County is extending spousal benefits to county employees married to same-sex spouses.
 
   Lambda Legal said Wednesday the change will take effect in July, and a county official confirmed the change.
 
   New York-based Lambda Legal says the action follows a state civil-rights complaint it filed in March on behalf of Washington County employee William Taylor.
 
   Lambda says Taylor legally married his same-sex partner in Washington in 2010, and then asked to have him added to his health insurance. Lambda says the county denied Taylor's request because his spouse was of the same gender.
 
   Last month, Maryland's highest court recognized same-sex marriages performed in other states. The Court of Appeals ruled that same-sex couples can divorce Maryland even though Maryland's gay marriage law isn't set to take effect until January.