U.S. Attorney General Recognizes 300 Same-Sex Couples Married In Michigan Last Weekend

U.S. Attorney General Recognizes 300 Same-Sex Couples Married In Michigan Last Weekend

UPDATE: LANSING - Eric Holder, U.S. Attorney General, made a statement Friday, March 28 that there will be federal government recognition for all of those Michigan couples married on Saturday.

This action will allow for same-sex couples to become eligible for federal benefits.

ORIGINAL STORY: LANSING - Governor Rick Snyder has announced that Michigan will not recognize the 300 same-sex marriages that were performed last weekend, and although they were valid at the time, the stay has brought the Michigan Law back into effect.

Marriage licenses were issued last weekend after U.S. District Judge lifted the ban for same-sex marriages.

There were 57 marriage licenses issued to same-sex couples in Ingham County. Ceremonies were held at the Mason Historical Courthouse on Sat. morning.

On Tuesday, March 25, 2014, the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a temporary stay on same-sex marriages, citing that it is "unconstitutional."

Just a day later, an announcement from the appeals court has indefinitely stopped any further same-sex marriage ceremonies to be performed.

Ingham County City Clerk, Barb Byrum was the first person in the State of Michigan, to ever perform a same sex marriage.

"Those licenses that were issued on Saturday, those were valid, Michigan Licenses and the ceremonies performed on Saturday, those were valid marriage ceremonies," Byrum said.

Equality Michigan has started a petition, calling on the governor and the attorney general to stop this lawsuit.

"We are fighting to make sure those marriages are recognized," Byrum said. "We're going to continue to fight for equality for our state."

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