A federal court of appeals this afternoon ordered an indefinite hold on same-sex marriage in Michigan. On Friday, federal judge Bernard Friedman ruled that state’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. On Saturday, 300 couples married. Later that day, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals halted additional marriages by same-sex couples through Wednesday, but today the Court extended that ruling indefinitely.
LOOK: GOP Governor Won’t Allow Michigan State Agencies To Recognize Hundreds Of Same-Sex Marriages
“The court cited a similar case in Utah in which the Supreme Court stayed a lower court’s decision so that the matter can ultimately be decided by the U.S. Supreme court,” the Detroit Free Press reports:
“A stay of the district court’s order is warranted,†the Appeals Court panel said in a ruling issued late Tuesday afternoon.
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, who had requested the stay, said he wasn’t surprised.
Attorneys for the plaintiffs challenged the state and the court, noting that the state had effectively ignored judge Bernard Friedman by not first formally asking him to place a stay on his own ruling.
“Attorneys for DeBoer and Rowse had asked the appellate court to deny the state’s motion for a stay, arguing that the state should have first requested Friedman issue a stay. In response to the state’s motion, DeBoer and Rowse’s attorneys stated that denying the stay best meets the public interest,” the Detroit Free Press adds:
“There are times when maintaining the status quo makes sense,†the filing says. “There are also times when maintaining the status quo is merely a kinder label for perpetuating discrimination that should no longer be tolerated.â€
The attorneys said that “permitting loving same-sex couples to marry and provide full parental security for their children will also help the state’s economy.†The filing says that discriminatory policies deter same-sex couples from adopting children within the state’s foster care system.
Jayne and April DeBoer-Rowse brought the lawsuit so they could each jointly-adopt their three special needs children. The couple are both nurses.
Image, top, by Steve Friess via Twitter
Previously:
Watch: Here’s The Moment Two Michigan Moms Learn Their Case Just Won Them The Right To Marry
Read: Federal Judge’s Ruling Striking Down Michigan Same-Sex Marriage Ban
Photos And Video! First Same-Sex Couples Marrying In Michigan!