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Michigan Same-Sex Marriages To Be Recognized By Federal Government

Posted at 10:17 AM, Mar 28, 2014
and last updated 2014-03-28 10:19:39-04

03-28-14-Same-sex-ceremony-HolderWASHINGTON (March 28, 2014) — The federal government will recognize any same-sex marriages performed recently after a judge ruled Michigan’s ban was unconstitutional.

“The Governor of Michigan has made clear that the marriages that took place on Saturday were lawful and valid when entered into,” said U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in a statement on the Department of Justice web site. Ceremonies stopped when a stay on the decision was issued pending further appeals.

“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,” despite Michigan’s refusal to grant further rights and benefits to the couples, the statement said.