Oregon to Recognize Marriages of Same-Sex Couples Wed in Other States
Same-sex couples who legally wed in other states will now be recognized by the state of Oregon — further fallout from this summer’s Supreme Court ruling striking down part of the Defense of Marriage Act.
Oregon Chief Operating Officer and Director of Administrative Services Michael Jordan issued a memo to state agencies Wednesday ordering the recognition of all legal marriages performed outside of the state — including the marriages of same-sex couples.
“Oregon agencies must recognize all out-of-state marriages for the purposes of administering state programs,” Jordan states in the memo. “That includes legal, same sex marriages performed in other states and countries.”
Married couples from out of state can now access benefits afforded by the state, Department of Administrative Services spokesman Matt Shelby told BuzzFeed. The change has no impact on the ability of same-sex couples to marry in the state, although a lawsuit filed this week aims to overturn the constitutional amendment that bans such marriages.
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