Florida same-sex marriages set to begin next month
Same-sex marriages could begin in Florida as early as next month following an order handed down by a federal appeals court Wednesday.
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals denied a request by the state to extend a stay of a lower court ruling overturning the state’s same-sex marriage ban. The hold on same-sex marriages in Florida is set to expire at the end of the day on Jan. 5, 2015, meaning same-sex marriages would likely begin the following day.
“Having reviewed and fully considered the Motion, the parties’ briefs, and the orders issued by the District Court in the proceedings below, the Court hereby denies Appellants’ Motion,” the order by the three-judge panel stated. “The stay of preliminary injunctions entered by the District Court expires at the end of the day on January 5, 2015.”
In August, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Hinkle found Florida law banning same-sex marriage and blocking recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other states in violation of the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Florida now has the opportunity to request the U.S. Supreme Court place a hold on same-sex marriages.
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