Judge rules Florida must issue same-sex marriage licenses

A US judge has ruled that all counties in Florida must start issuing same-sex marriage licenses to gay couples.

Although Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage was ruled unconstitutional in August, a stay was placed on the ruling pending appeal.

The Supreme Court voted 7-2 to refuse a request for a second stay to be placed on gay marriages back in December, which meant that gay couples should be able to legally marry in Florida when the stay currently in place expires on January 5.

However, some of Florida’s counties have been refusing to issue licenses to same-sex couples despite the stay coming to an end.

Now, US Judge Robert Hinkle has announced that all counties in Florida must begin issuing marriage licenses to gay couples immediately, meaning that gay marriage will officially become legal throughout Florida on January 5.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi was recently voted ‘Loser of the Year’ due to her attempts to stop gay marriage in the state – find out more here.

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