U.S. attorney general Eric Holder announced that the federal government will recognize same-sex marriages in Utah, making them eligible for federal benefits.
The state of the unions in Utah have been in question since the state’s government received an injunction on recognizing the marriages earlier this month. Governor Gary Herbert sought a stay from the U.S. Supreme Court, which he received last week, on the marriages after a federal judge ruled in December that Utah’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional .
During the time between the judge’s ruling removing the ban and Utah receiving its stay, approximately 1,300 marriage license were issued to same-sex couples in the state.
Ed Whelan has more on Holder’s decision over on Bench Memos.