LITTLE ROCK (KTHV) - An Arkansas judge ordered officials to recognize over 500 same-sex marriages performed in The Natural State last year, a move that will let the couples enjoy benefits like filing taxes jointly.
Pulaski County Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen on Tuesday (June 9) validated marriage licenses issued to same-sex couples after another judge struck down the Arkansas' gay marriage ban. The Arkansas Supreme Court halted the distribution of marriage licenses to gay couples after a week in May 2014 and is considering an appeal over a voter-approved same-sex marriage ban.
Griffen's ruling means the couples have the ability to file taxes jointly, enroll together on state health insurance plans, appear jointly on a child's birth certificate or even file for divorce. With that said, the state can still appeal Griffen's ruling.
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