judge bernard friedman � s offices to issue marriage licenses .
in a historic ruling that provided a huge morale boost to the gay - rights movement , u.s. district judge bernard friedman friday struck down michigan � s ban on same - sex marriage , making it the 18th state in the nation to allow gays and lesbians to join in matrimony , just like their heterosexual counterparts .
� ■ pdf : read the judge � s ruling on gay marriage ■ related : questions , answers on today � s ruling friedman , who declared michigan � s ban on same - sex marriage unconstitutional , went a step further than other judges across the country who have made similar decisions .
but people in some counties , including washtenaw , oakland and muskegon , will be allowed to marry today .
michigan � s bans on gay marriage and same - sex adoption , aligning the state with a growing number in which prohibitions have been challenged and overturned .
� it � s just amazing , � said deboer , who wiped tears and hugged her partner after learning of friedman � s ruling .
� many michigan residents have religious convictions whose principles govern the conduct of their daily lives and inform their own viewpoints about marriage , � friedman wrote in his 31 - page ruling .
the option is open only to pairs with at least one partner who resides in washtenaw county and out - of - state couples who marry within its borders , kestenbaum said .
couples , including same - sex ones , wanting a marriage license have a chance to get one from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. saturday at the washtenaw county building at 200 n. main in ann arbor , clerk larry kestenbaum said .