WASHINGTON — Attorney General Eric Holder is recognizing the marriages of more than 1,000 same-sex couples in Utah that took place before the Supreme Court put those unions on hold.
Holder’s action will enable the government to extend eligibility for federal benefits to these couples.
The attorney general says families should not be asked to endure uncertainty regarding their benefits while the courts decide the issue of same-sex marriage in Utah.
More than 1,000 gay and lesbian couples took home marriage licenses from local clerks after a federal judge overturned Utah’s same-sex marriage ban on Dec. 20. Utah voters approved the ban in 2004.
On Thursday, the nation’s largest gay rights group, the Human Rights Campaign, had asked the federal government to act.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
-
Local & StateLegislators support repealing law that keeps police surveillance techniques secret
-
Nation & World
Congress eyes new virus aid as school, health crisis deepens
-
Nation & World
Virus cases still rising in some states amid new restrictions worldwide
-
Local & State
All inmates at Cumberland County Jail now have tested negative, sheriff says
-
Sports
Auto racing notebook: Jeff Taylor back on top at Oxford Plains Speedway
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi {SUB NAME}, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have one? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login to participate in the conversation. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.