Can gay people get married in utah

Gay couples celebrated the decision, which will open up more than 1, federal benefits to them. Stiehl is emerging from a cancer battle, making it more important for their relationship to be legally recognized. The decision eased the disappointment for gay couples from earlier this week, when Utah Gov.

Gary Herbert directed state agencies not to take any further action to honor the recently issued marriage licenses. In a memo to state officials, his chief of staff, Derek Miller, said there was doubt that the marriages were legally valid after the Supreme Court put a hold on the effect of a judge's ruling.

Please understand this position is not intended to comment on the legal status of those same-sex marriages — that is for the courts to decide," the memo said. The directive means newlyweds won't be able to file joint state tax returns or proceed with second-parent adoptions.

Herbert's office did not immediately comment on Holder's announcement. Holder said his determination was in line with the historic Supreme Court ruling in June that struck down part of the Defense of Marriage Act DOMAwhich had barred federal recognition of same-sex marriages.

But the National Organization for Marriage, which opposes same-sex marriage, decried Holder's move, saying the high court justices had upheld another part of the federal DOMA law that allows states to set marriage policy. Popular support has grown for same-sex marriage, too, with 54 percent of Americans supporting it in a July Gallup poll.

Utah gay marriage: Weddings put on hold by US high court

Supporters of the right of gays and lesbians to wed have filed 35 lawsuits in 19 states, including Utah, targeting state-level marriage bans. One of the challenges is expected to make it to the Supreme Court, experts said. A deadline has been set for the end of February for briefs to be filed in the Utah case before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The legal road ahead won't be easy, said Anderson. IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Skip to Content. NBC News Logo. Search Search. Profile My News Sign Out. Sign In Create your free profile. Sections U. Follow NBC News.