Michigan to Recognize Same Sex Marriages Performed Last March After Snyder Decides Against Appeal

Michigan will recognize more than 300 same sex marriages performed last March after Governor Rick Snyder announced Wednesday he will not appeal a federal injunction.

According to MLive, the injunction - requiring the state to recognize the marriage licenses issued to same-sex couples on March 22, 2014 - was set to take effect Thursday. In a statement Snyder said "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."

The legal recognition comes as the United States Supreme Court is set to hear arguments against the gay marriage bans in Michigan and other states. Snyder said he welcomes the review saying "I know that 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."

Ingham County Clerk Barb Bynum, who performed some of the marriages that day, applauded Snyder for making what she called "the right decision" and afford "these couples the rights they deserve like all other families under the law."

Michigan voters approved a constitutional amendment back in 2004 banning gay marriage. The U.S. Supreme Court will soon consider whether the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution requires state to license same-sex marriages or recognize those legally performed elsewhere.