Michigan Gay Marriage Ban Lifted, Couples Celebrate By Tying The Knot

The Michigan gay marriage has been lifted as a federal judge struck down the state’s constitutional ban in a ruling on Friday. According to CNN, Michigan is the latest state in which federal judges have struck down state constitutional bans on gay marriage.

“Today’s decision… affirms the enduring principle that regardless of whoever finds favor in the eyes of the most recent majority, the guarantee of equal protection must prevail,” U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman wrote regarding Michigan’s gay marriage ban.

Same-sex couples all over Michigan flocked to courthouses throughout the state to courthouses to realize their dreams of finally being able to marry their partners. According to ABC News, Glenna DeJong, 53, and Marsha Caspar, 51, of Lansing, were the first to arrive at the Ingham County Courthouse in the central Michigan city of Mason.

“I figured in my lifetime it would happen,” Caspar said. “But now, when it happens now, it’s just overwhelming. I still can’t believe it. I don’t think it’s hit me yet.”

Barb Byrum, the elected county clerk for Ingham County stated that she was eager to issue marriage licenses in her office and according to CNN, she said she was ready to get started as early as Monday morning. “This is a wonderful decision,” Byrum said. “many Michiganders have been waiting for equality in our great state, and I look forward to the opportunity to issue marriage licenses to all loving couples.”

While many tied the knot and or simply received their marriage licenses after the ban was lifted, others are now left waiting once again as an appeals court issued a stay of Friedman’s ruling. According to MLive, the order from the US 6th Circuit Court was filed just before 5 pm Saturday. This means that any and all same-sex marriages will not happen until at least Wednesday.

“To allow a more reasoned consideration of the motion to stay, it is ordered that the district court’s judgment is temporarily stayed until Wednesday, March 26, 2014,” the court ruled.

The report continues on to say that Michigan joins four other states that have had courts overturn gay marriage bans. Texas, Utah, Oklahoma, Virginia and now Michigan all have had their overturned rulings stayed pending appeal.

According to CBC News, 17 states and the District of Columbia currently issue licenses for same-sex marriages. What do you think of the Michigan gay marriage ban being put on hold after being lifted Friday? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

[Image via Shutterstock/Grigoriev Ruslan]