State Won’t Recognize Same Sex Marriages Made Over Weekend
(Crystal A. Proxmire, March 26, 2014)
Governor Rick Snyder announced today that over 300 same-sex marriages performed on Saturday, during the window of time when they were legal, will not be recognized until after a stay on Friday’s District Court decision has been lifted.
Judge Bernard Friedman ruled in the case DeBoer v. Snyder that Michigan’s ban on same sex marriage is unconstitutional.  The ruling came Friday evening, and on Saturday County Clerk’s issued marriage licenses in Oakland, Washtenaw, Ingham and Muskegon Counties to same-sex couples.  A stay was instituted late in the day Saturday, meaning that because Friedman’s decision will be appealed, the ban remains in place per the court order.
According to The Detroit Free Press, Snyder told reporters “With respect to the marriages, we believe those are legal and valid marriages. The stay being issued makes it more complicated. Because of the stay, we won’t recognize the benefits of the marriage until there’s a removal of the stay.”
Because of the decision, the married same-sex couples will not have access to rights that other legally married couples have, including inheritance rights, access to insurance, the ability to adopt their children, end of life and medical care rights, tax breaks and more.
For previous stories see:
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/24/state-spent-40000-on-testimony-in-deboer-case-plans-appeal-2/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/22/first-gay-marriages-in-michigan-video/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/22/same-sex-marriages-put-on-hold-as-temporary-stay-is-granted/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/21/judge-rules-gay-marriage-ban-struck-down/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/08/29/treasury-recognizes-all-same-sex-marriages-for-tax-purposes-2/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/02/01/supreme-court-same-sex-marriage-cases-explained/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/02/24/hazel-park-couples-week-in-court-begins/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/06/27/hazel-park-case-could-pave-the-way-video/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/03/09/judge-decides-to-wait-on-adoption-gay-marriage-decision-video/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/05/demonstrators-try-to-stay-warm-while-states-case-runs-cold/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/02/ferndalians-channel-leaders-past-spread-love-in-hopes-for-equality-video/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/03/02/opponents-to-equality-make-big-showing-in-support-biblical-marriage/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/02/08/ultimate-lgbt-wedding-expo-comes-to-southfield-april-12/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/10/05/wayne-county-prosecutor-kym-worthy-steps-up-to-support-hazel-park-couple-video/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/07/24/clerk-brings-in-new-lawyers-to-defend-in-hazel-park-couples-case/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/07/02/hazel-park-lesbian-couples-case-moves-forward/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/06/28/strikes-down-michigan-domestic-partner-health-care-ban/
http://oaklandcounty115.com/2013/06/26/reaction-to-gay-marriage-rulings/