Today, Broward Circuit Judge Dale Cohen struck down Florida’s marriage ban, affirming that the denial of marriage equality to same-sex couples in Florida is unconstitutional. The judge’s ruling applies to recognition of out-of-state same-sex marriages, as well as overturning Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage – Broward County only.
This marks the third time in the past few weeks that a Republican-appointed judge in Florida has ruled on the side of marriage equality.
“Every win in court brings us closer than we’ve ever been to the freedom to marry in Florida,” said Nadine Smith, CEO of Equality Florida. “We look forward to the day when all loving, committed couples and their families enjoy the same protections, opportunities and responsibilities of marriage under the law. Every passing day inflicts real hardships on families who are denied the legal protection and dignity that marriage equality provides.”
The lawsuit was filed by Heather Brassner, who had entered into a civil union in Vermont and is seeking a divorce in Florida. The judge indicated that “He was not prepared to grant the divorce without addressing the constitutionality of the same-sex marriage ban — and the same-sex marriage recognition ban,” according to Nancy Brodzki, Brassner’s attorney. Brodzki then filed a motion for the judge to rule on Florida’s constitutional ban.
The judge issued an immediate stay on his ruling, meaning same-sex couples in Florida cannot marry just yet.
Attorney General Pam Bondi appealed the judges’ decision in the Miami-Dade and Monroe County cases, and is expected to appeal this decision as well.
Last week, Equality Florida delivered more than 7,000 petitions to Bondi’s office, calling on the attorney general to drop her appeals.
Equality Florida Institute is a plaintiff, along with six same-sex couples, in Pareto v Ruvin, the Miami-Dade lawsuit challenging Florida’s ban on marriage equality.
courtesy of Equality Florida
