Republican Gov. Rick Snyder of Michigan
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder announced Wednesday that the state would in fact recognize the 300-plus marriages that took place in a 24-hour window last year after they were legalized by a federal judge but before they were stopped by an appeals court. Here are the details from
David Eggert:
The Republican governor said he will not appeal a federal ruling last month that the state must recognize the marriages. U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith said the marriages are valid but put on hold his decision for 21 days pending any appeal by the state.
The original ruling that struck down the state’s 2004 ban on same-sex marriage is headed to the Supreme Court in April, with a final decision expected in June.
Until then, no more same-sex couples will be allowed to marry in the Great Lakes State even as some 300 of them who did will now enjoy the benefits afforded to different-sex couples.
Michigan's recognition of the marriages could affect the couples' health insurance coverage and their ability to jointly adopt.