The United States Department of Justice has announced that the federal government will respect and recognize the legal marriages of same-sex couples in Michigan who were issued marriage licenses this past Saturday, March 22.
The United States Department of Justice has announced that the federal government will respect and recognize the legal marriages of same-sex couples in Michigan who were issued marriage licenses this past Saturday, March 22.
Attorney General Eric Holder stated, “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.”
The Human Rights Campaign praised Holder’s statement. “Last week 300 committed and loving same-sex couples were legally wed in Michigan,” the statement says. “As such they deserve the recognition and treatment that all other married couples receive. Attorney General Eric Holder has once again demonstrated his steadfast commitment to equality and upholding the core values of the U.S. Constitution by affirming federal recognition of these marriages.”
Photo: Wikipedia
