The hold restricting recognition of same-sex marriages and froze federal benefits to same-sex couples in Utah was lifted Friday when Attorney General Eric Holder "extended federal recognition" to more than 1,000 same-sex couples, according to the Associated Press.
The hold was placed on Monday by the U.S. Supreme Court in order to freeze same-sex couple's federal rights in Utah while the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals debated whether gay couples should be allowed to marry, the AP reported.
Holder's ruling will allow lesbian and gay couples who married after the same-sex marriage ban in Utah was overturned on Dec. 20 to receive all federal benefits offered to heterosexual couples while the case is being debated, according to the AP.
According to Holder, "families should not be asked to endure uncertainty regarding their benefits while courts decide the issue of same-sex marriage in Utah," the AP reported.
"In the days ahead, we will continue to coordinate across the federal government to ensure the timely provision of every federal benefit to which Utah couples and couples throughout the country are entitled - regardless of whether they are in same-sex or opposite-sex marriages," Holder said in a video on the Justice Department's website, the AP reported.
On Friday, pro-gay marriage supporters were planning a rally at the Utah State Capitol Hill, the AP reported. Hundreds of supporters signed a petition which they planned to deliver to the state governor and state attorney demanding the federal court ruling stating same-sex marriage is legal to be upheld.
Attorney General Sean Reyes told all local Utah clerks on Thursday to finish the paperwork for all same-sex marriages occurring before the hold was put in place by the Supreme Court so the couples could begin receiving their benefits as soon as possible, the AP reported.
Reyes also said that "for purposes of federal law, these marriages will be recognized as lawful and considered eligible for all relevant federal benefits on the same terms as other same-sex marriages," according to the AP.
Moudi Sbeity and Derek Kitchen are one of the three couples part of the lawsuit against Utah which led to the lifting of the ban on same-sex marriages in late December, the AP reported.
"It gives me hope moving forward in the appeals process," Moudi Sbeity said, according to the AP. "It shows that there really is a social and cultural shift in viewpoints and mindsets toward marriage equality."
Sbeity hopes Friday's decision to reinstate federal benefits and rights to same-sex couples will lead Utah Governor Gay Herbert to side with marriage equality in upcoming proceedings, the AP reported. Herbert initially issued the request that all state agencies put same-sex marriage benefits on hold until the courts decide on the case.
Sbeity hopes the governor will change his mind on the matter, according to the AP. "I'm sure he doesn't want 1,300 lawsuits on his desk," Sbeity said.
