Michigan Will Recognize About 300 Gay Marriages

Gov. Rick Snyder says Michigan will recognize more than 300 same-sex marriages performed during a brief window when they were allowed last year.

The Republican governor announced Wednesday that he won't appeal a ruling that the state must recognize the marriages. U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith had said the marriages are valid but put on hold his decision for 21 days pending any appeal.

Michigan's recognition of the marriages could affect couples' health insurance coverage and their ability to jointly adopt.

A different federal judge struck down Michigan's gay marriage ban last March. Same-sex couples in four counties married the next day, before an appeals court suspended the decision and blocked additional marriages.

The U.S. Supreme Court has since decided to consider the legality of Michigan's 2004 voter-approved ban.