Judge orders Michigan to recognize hundreds of same-gender marriages

A judge has ordered the state of Michigan to recognize about 300 same-sex marriages performed during a brief period last year when such unions were legal.

U.S. District Judge Mark A. Goldsmith, ruling in favor of eight same-sex couples Thursday, said those marriages are valid, the Associated Press, the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) and others report.

The marriages were performed in four counties during a brief period last March after a different federal court judge struck down the state’s gay marriage ban. The Cincinnati-based 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals later suspended the decision and reinstated the ban.

 The judge, however, stayed his ruling for 21 days to give the state an opportunity to appeal.

Article here (via aba journal).