Over 300 same-sex couples who were legally married until a stay was placed on a marriage ruling will be recognized by the State of Michigan.
Calling it a “divisive debate,” Republican governor Rick Snyder has announced he will not appeal a federal judge’s ruling last month requiring the State of Michigan to recognize the marriages of 323 same-sex couples. The couples were legally married during a small window before a stay was placed on the federal ruling. The federal government recognizes the marriages, and initially Snyder agreed the couples were legally married, but later backtracked.
“The judge has determined that same-sex couples were legally married on that day, and we will follow the law and extend state marriage benefits to those couples,” Snyder said in a statement.
Michigan is one of the states the Supreme Court has chosen to review rulings in. Currently same-sex couples cannot marry there, after an appeals court overturned the federal ruling. Snyder also stated he is looking forward to the Supreme Court’s ruling.
“I appreciate that the larger question will be addressed by the U.S. Supreme Court this year,” Snyder said. “This is an issue that has been divisive across our country. … I know there are strong feelings on both sides of this issue, and it’s vitally important for an expedient resolution that will allow people in Michigan, as well as other states, to move forward together on the other challenges we face.”
The AP reports that yesterday, a united Democratic wing of the state senate, all 11 members, asked Snyder to not appeal the ruling. “We stand united in supporting the rights of all loving couples to marry, and urge you to join us in doing the same,” they said.
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