Michigan gay couples run to the altar

A federal judge on Friday struck down Michigan’s 2004 ban on same-sex marriage.

U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman ruled that the state’s ban was unconstitutional, making Michigan the 18th state to legalize gay marriage. It is also legal in the District of Columbia. 

The Detroit Free Press uploaded the ruling.

{mosads}“After reviewing the evidence presented at the trial, including the testimony of various expert witnesses, the exhibits, and stipulations, and after considering all of the legal issues involved, the Court concludes that the Michigan Marriage Amendment is unconstitutional and will enjoin its enforcement,” the judge concluded. 

More than half of voters approved the Michigan Marriage Amendment in a referendum in 2004, which said the state couldn’t recognize or perform both same-sex marriages and civil unions.

According to the Detroit Free Press, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette filed an emergency request for a stay of the ruling on Friday.

Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) said in a statement he was “overjoyed” that the state lifted the “discriminatory ban.”

“It’s my sincere hope that Gov. Rick Snyder and Attorney General Bill Schuette will respect the ruling of the federal court today and stop wasting taxpayer dollars in defending such a blatant, discriminatory ban,” he said. 

Since December, The Associated Press notes that bans on gay marriage have been overturned in Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Virginia.