Mediaboss Marketing

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said the U.S. government will recognize same-sex marriages in six more states, bringing to 32 the number of states where couples in gay unions qualify for federal benefits.

Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, North Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming were added to the list on Saturday (local time), a week after Holder made a similar announcement concerning seven other states.

The move comes after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear appeals of cases that sought to overturn bans on same-sex marriages. In addition to the 32 states, gay marriages are recognized in the District of Columbia.

The Justice Department's stand on the unions means the couples qualify for benefits administered by the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal entities.

"We are acting as quickly as possible with agencies throughout the government to ensure that same-sex couples in these states receive the fullest array of benefits allowable under federal law," Holder said.

See original here:
US recognises gay marriages in six more states

General Eric Holder Slams Leon Panetta: His Obama Criticism Is Unfortunate
Outgoing U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder thinks former CIA Director Leon Panetta #39;s controversial criticisms of President Barack Obama are unfortunate and...

By: NewsToday

Continued here:
General Eric Holder Slams Leon Panetta: His Obama Criticism Is Unfortunate - Video

Watchdog Groups Big Finding: Obama Protecting Emails Eric Holder Sent to His Wife
Watchdog Group #39;s Big Finding: Obama Protecting Emails Eric Holder Sent to His Wife.

By: Brt121

Excerpt from:
Watchdog Groups Big Finding: Obama Protecting Emails Eric Holder Sent to His Wife - Video

Published October 25, 2014

FILE 2008: A male couple inside San Francisco City Hall as they prepare to get married. San Francisco, Calif.(REUTERS)

Attorney General Eric Holder said Saturday the U.S. government is recognizing same-sex marriages in six additional states, which will make those spouses eligible for federal benefits.

The announcement follows gay marriages recently becoming legal in those states: Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, North Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming.

It also follows the Supreme Court saying earlier this month that it will not hear appeals from five states trying to keep in place their marriage bans.

Last week, Holder made the same announcement for Colorado, Indiana, Nevada, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin, which means the federal government now recognizes gay marriage in 32 states and the District of Columbia.

Couples married in these states will qualify for a range of federal benefits, including Social Security and veterans' benefits.

"With each new state where same-sex marriages are legally recognized, our nation moves closer to achieving full equality for all Americans," Holder said.

He also said the government is working "as quickly as possible" to make sure same-sex married couples in these states receive the "fullest array of benefits" that federal law allows.

The Justice Department also has determined that it can legally recognize gay marriages performed this summer in Indiana and Wisconsin after federal courts declared marriage bans in the states unconstitutional.

More:
Holder: US acknowledges gay marriage in six more states, total now 33 including DC

WASHINGTON: The US government announced on Saturday (Oct 25) it would recognise same sex marriages in six more states, following an earlier Supreme Court decision not to take up the debate.

The announcement from Attorney General Eric Holder means gay and lesbian married couples in those states will have the same legal rights and federal benefits as heterosexual couples.

The latest decision covers Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Wyoming, and comes on the heels of a similar decision last week that extended federal recognition to seven states.

Holder's announcement "brings the total number of states where same sex couples are recognised by the federal government to 32, plus the District of Columbia," the Justice Department said.

"With each new state where same sex marriages are legally recognized, our nation moves closer to achieving of full equality for all Americans," Holder said. "We are acting as quickly as possible with agencies throughout the government to ensure that same sex married couples in these states receive the fullest array of benefits allowable under federal law."

The statement said Holder had also determined the government would legally recognise same sex marriages in two states, Indiana and Wisconsin, conducted in June. Court battles over gay marriage bans in those states are ongoing.

Earlier this month, the US Supreme Court snubbed appeals from several states where state-level bans on gay marriage had been deemed unconstitutional. Marriages in those states had been on hold pending the court's decision on whether to hear the cases. The ruling means that same sex couples in the five states can now have their unions recognized.

The number of states legalising gay unions is expected to increase.

Continued here:
US to recognise gay marriage in another six states