Michigan to recognize 300 gay marriages

Michigan will recognize about 300 gay couples married the day between one district court’s ruling legalizing same-sex marriage in the state, and another court’s blocking of that 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,” Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican, said in a statement.

The Supreme Court announced in January that it would review an appeal from the Sixth Circuit that ruled in favor of gay marriage bans. Michigan is part of the Sixth Circuit, so that decision is the law of the land unless the Supreme Court chooses to overrule it.

Snyder called the issue “divisive” and pressed for a quick decision by the Supreme Court.

“I know there are strong feelings on both sides of this issue, and it’s 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.

The two court rulings affecting Michigan happened in March, 2014.

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in April and justices could have a ruling as soon as June.