Obama administration to recognize same-sex marriages in Michigan

Fri. March 28, 2014 9:36 AM by GoPride.com News Staff

attorney general eric holder

photo credit // wikipedia
Washington, D.C. - Attorney General Eric Holder on Friday announced same-sex marriages that were recently held in Michigan will be recognized for federal purposes. 

"I have determined that the same-sex marriages performed last Saturday in Michigan will be recognized by the federal government," Holder said in a statement Friday morning. "These families will be eligible for all relevant federal benefits on the same terms as other same-sex marriages."

More than 300 same-sex couples wed in Michigan over the weekend before a federal district court granted a stay to stop the weddings from being performed. 

U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage, but the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals later placed an indefinite stay on marriages pending appeal. 

Holder's full statement issued Friday:

"I have determined that the same-sex marriages performed last Saturday in Michigan will be recognized by the federal government. These families will be eligible for all relevant federal benefits on the same terms as other same-sex marriages. The Governor of Michigan has made clear that the marriages that took place on Saturday were lawful and valid when entered into, although Michigan will not extend state rights and benefits tied to these marriages pending further legal proceedings. For purposes of federal law, as I announced in January with respect to similarly situated same-sex couples in Utah, these Michigan couples will not be asked to wait for further resolution in the courts before they may seek federal benefits to which they are entitled.

"Last June's decision by the Supreme Court in United States v. Windsor was a victory for equal protection under the law and a historic step toward equality for all American families. The Department of Justice continues to work with its federal partners to implement this decision across the government. And we will remain steadfast in our commitment to realizing our country's founding ideals of equality, opportunity, and justice for all."
 

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