Three hundred same sex marriages performed last year in Michigan will be legally recognized by the state.
U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith ruled last month that the state must recognize the marriages performed in four Michigan counties on March 22, 2014. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, a republican, announced Wednesday that the state would not appeal the judge's decision.
"The judge has determined that same-sex couples were legally married on that day, and we will follow the law and extend state marriage benefits to those couples," Gov. Snyder said Wednesday.
"I appreciate that the larger question will be addressed by the U.S. Supreme Court this year," he continued. "This is an issue that has been divisive across our country. Our nations highest court will decide this issue."
"I know there are strong feelings on both sides of this issue, and its vitally important for an expedient resolution that will allow people in Michigan, as well as other states, to move forward together on the other challenges we face," he said.
In response to Judge Goldsmith's January ruling that the state must recognize the marriages, Peter Sprigg, the Senior Fellow for Family Policy Studies at the Family Research Council, said in a statement, "We agree with the people of Michigan that marriage is inherently good. However, yet again, a judge has decided he knows better than the people he is supposed to be serving."
"I commend Michigan state officials who have fought valiantly to protect the right of the people of the state to affirm marriage as between one man and one woman," he continued. "I urge them to continue their efforts to protect natural marriage."
The Supreme Court is expected to make a nationwide ruling on same sex marriage by June. Same sex marriage is now legal in 36 states and the District of Columbia.
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