Judge who performed gay ‘marriages’ rules that Arkansas must accept them as legally binding
LITTLE ROCK, AR, June 15, 2015 (LifeSiteNews) – An Arkansas judge who presided over same-sex "weddings" last year has ordered the state of Arkansas to recognize these ceremonies – and hundreds of others that were conducted last year – as legally binding.
Earlier this month, Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen ruled that Arkansas must recognize more than 500 "marriages" that took place during one week in May 2014. A judge had ruled Arkansas' marriage protection law unconstitutional, but that decision was stayed a week later.
In the meantime, the status of the same-sex couples' unions have been in limbo.
In his ruling, Griffen wrote that Arkansas' Director of Finance and Administration has acted "with shameless disrespect for fundamental fairness and equality" by not recognizing the ceremonies Griffen and others presided over.
According to the Associated Press, Griffen wrote that Larry Walther "insists on treating the marriages of same-sex couples who received marriage licenses between May 9 and May 15 as 'void from inception as a matter of law."
The state's Attorney General has reportedly said she is "evaluating the ruling" and how to move forward. The pro-marriage Republican did say that "these marriages do not fall within the state's definition of marriage as between one man and one woman."
Arkansas' last Attorney General, Dustin McDaniel, supported redefining marriage, but also defended the state's law because of his oath of office.
McDaniel criticized then-U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder for telling state Attorneys General to ignore marriage laws.
"I do not take orders from Eric Holder and I'm determined to live up to my obligation, and that includes with regard to our state's definition of marriage," he said.
Griffen's ruling allows same-sex couples to receive a number of state benefits, including joint tax filings and enrollment in state health insurance plans.
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The decision comes as the Supreme Court is expected to issue a possibly defining ruling on whether marriage redefinition is required by the U.S. Constitution later this month.