North Carolina: City of Winston-Salem to recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages

In light of the recent ruling by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeal that overturned Virginia's ban on marriage equality AND the decision by North Carolina's Attorney General to no longer defend that state's same-sex marriage ban (North Carolina is also in the jurisdiction of the 4th Circuit Court),  Winston-Salem has announced the city will recognize any valid marriage license from any state or US jurisdiction in regard to city employee benefits.

“This means that if you are currently married to someone of the same sex, and have a valid marriage license from any state or U.S. jurisdiction, you can enroll your same sex spouse and children in all city benefits …” Human Resources Director Caruth told city employees in the letter.

While several cities offer domestic partnership benefits (Winston-Salem does not), I believe this is the first time that a city in the state has taken steps to recognize legal same-sex marriages on it's own accord.

There is a special enrollment period currently under way for same-sex couples to sign up through the end of October.

(source)