UTAH: Gov & AG Make Nice, State Begins Issuing Same-Sex Marriage Licenses

Utah's governor and attorney general today threw up their hands and said, "Sorry about all that hate. Besties forever?" Via the Salt Lake Tribune:

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said marriage licenses would be immediately issued to same-sex couples. "Not to issue one would be a violation of the 10th Circuit’s mandate and a violation of these couples’ constitutional rights," Gill told The Salt Lake Tribune. "We’ve given the go-ahead to begin issuing [marriage] licenses right away." Gov. Gary Herbert said at a news conference that he sent a letter to his cabinet members ordering them to recognize all legally performed marriages, that gay couples can follow the same process as everyone else to get benefits. "We are a nation of laws and we here in Utah, we’ll uphold the law," Herbert said. Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes said he hadn’t had chance to "review the impact of this case" but says it lends clarity to issues of adoption and marriage recognition. "It’s time for people of goodwill on both sides of the issue to come together now and heal any rifts. We are all Utahns," Reyes said. Gill later issued a statement saying he had conferred with Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen, advising her she may immediately begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. "We are excited and pleased that we now have clarity from the courts and the fundamental rights of all Utahns are honored and protected," Gill said. "The legal analysis of Judge [Robert] Shelby has been affirmed to the benefit of all."

The first license was issued at 11AM local time.