Same Sex Marriage Ban and Laws: Attorney General Announces US Government Will Recognize Gay Marriage in 6 More States
As of Saturday, gay marriage will now be recognized by the federal government in 32 states plus the District of Columbia.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the U.S. government will recognize same-sex marriages in six more states, allowing couples in gay marriages to qualify for federal benefits administered by the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal departments.
The states added to list are Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, North Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming.
"We are acting as quickly as possible with agencies throughout the government to ensure that same-sex couples in these states receive the fullest array of benefits allowable under federal law," Holder said, according to Reuters.
Holder added that the Justice Department will also recognize gay marriages performed in Indiana and Wisconsin since federal courts ruled that their state marriage violates the constitution, reports NBC News.
The announcement from the attorney general comes after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a non-decision decision on Oct. 6, which upheld lower rulings that struck down gay marriage.
Last week, Wyoming became the 32nd state to legalize same-sex marriage.
Holder announced that gay marriages can begin in the state once officials file a formal notice that it will not appeal a federal court ruling that overturned a ban on the legalization of gay marriage.
The announcement came after U.S. District Judge Scott Skavdahl decided earlier this month that Wyoming's gay marriage ban violated the U.S. Constitution. However, he put a stay on his ruling until Thursday if the state declined to file an appeal.
"After reviewing the law and the judge's decision that binding precedent requires recognition of same-sex marriage, I have concluded that further legal process will result in delay but not a different result," said Wyoming Attorney General Peter Michael in a statement, according to Reuters.
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