The Obama administration announced
Friday that the marriages of roughly 300 gay and lesbian couples
performed on Saturday will be recognized by the federal government.
County clerks' offices at only 4 out of
Michigan's 83 counties opened Saturday to issue marriage licenses to
gay couples after a federal judge on Friday struck down Michigan's
2004 voter-approved constitutional amendment which limits marriage to
heterosexual couples. The weddings came to an end after an appeals
court put the judge's ruling on hold as the state pursues an appeal.
(Related: Hundreds
marry in Michigan before appeals court stays gay marriage decision.)
Governor Rick Snyder, a Republican,
said the marriages were “legal and valid” but that the state
would not recognize the “benefits of the marriages until there's a
removal of the stay.”
“I have determined that the same-sex
marriages performed last Saturday in Michigan will be recognized by
the federal government,” Attorney General Eric Holder said in an
emailed statement. “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,” Holder added.