Michael Ferguson and Seth Anderson's marriage, along with 1,300 others, is now "on hold."
The marriages of more than 1,300 Utah couples are "on hold," Gov.
Bob Gary Herbert's office announced Wednesday, while the
Supreme Court's stay of a district court's marriage equality decision is in effect. Not only will new same-sex marriages be prohibited,
but:
With the district court injunction now stayed, the original laws governing marriage in Utah return to effect pending final resolution by the courts. It is important to understand that those laws include not only a prohibition of performing same-sex marriages but also recognizing same-sex marriages.
Based on counsel from the Attorney General’s Office regarding the Supreme Court decision, state recognition of same-sex marital status is ON HOLD until further notice. [...]
Wherever individuals are in the process of availing themselves of state services related to same-sex marital status, that process is on hold and will stay exactly in that position until a final court decision is issued. For example, if a same-sex married couple previously changed their names on new drivers licenses, those licenses should not be revoked. If a same-sex couple seeks to change their names on drivers licenses now, the law does not allow the state agency to recognize the marriage therefore the new drivers licenses cannot be issued.
This decision will not only perpetuate inequality, it will create a lot of confusion. All to defend discriminatory laws that we all know are on their way out, sooner or later.