Gays and Lesbians celebrate the federal government's ruling that opposes Utah Governor Gary Herbert's announcement last week that the state would not recognize same-sex marriages. Attorney General Eric Holder officially announced yesterday that the 1,000 plus same-sex marriages performed in Utah will be legally recognized and eligible for all federal benefits that are available to opposite-sex couples.
In a video released by The Department of Justice this Friday, Holder makes a clear and compassionate statement confirming the Supreme Court Ruling:
"Recently, an administrative step by the Court has cast doubt on same-sex marriages that have been performed in the state of Utah. And the governor has announced that the state will not recognize these marriages pending additional Court action. In the meantime, I am confirming today that, for purposes of federal law, these marriages will be recognized as lawful and considered eligible for all relevant federal benefits on the same terms as other same-sex marriages."
Holder continues: "These families should not be asked to endure uncertainty regarding their status as the litigation unfolds. In the days ahead, we will continue to coordinate across the federal government to ensure the timely provision of every federal benefit to which Utah couples and couples throughout the country are entitled - regardless of whether they in same-sex or opposite-sex marriages."
Civil rights groups and liberals count this ruling as a big win for the Lesbian Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. Chad Griffin, president of The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest LGBT organization, applauded Holder in a statement yesterday:
"These 1,360 Utah couples are married, plain and simple, and they should be afforded every right and responsibility of marriage. Attorney General Eric Holder has once again shown the kind of leadership that earns you a spot in the history books. This is only the beginning of this fight, and this work continues until marriage equality returns to Utah for good, and full equality reaches every American in all 50 states."
Conservative and religious groups are outraged and rallying to oppose this decision. Leading the charge is Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, who vehemently criticizes the Obama administration for having "no regard for the Constitution and the rule of law."
In a NOM blog yesterday, Brown states, "It is outrageous that the Justice Department would move so brazenly and publicly to undermine Utah's standing constitutional provision regulating marriage as the union of one man and one woman. It is the right of the states to determine marriage, and the voters and legislature of Utah have done just that."
Utah, a predominantly conservative and Mormon state, will remain a hot bed of debate as conservative and liberal factions butt heads and legal mêlées continue between state and federal courts.
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