Yesterday's court ruling in the Florida Keys that overturned Florida’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriages could have set the stage for a statewide reversal of the ban.Circuit Judge Luis Garcia decided in favor of a Key West couple who sued the state arguing the marriage ban approved by voters in 2008 violates the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection clause.
The amendment defines marriage in Florida as a union between one man and one woman.
A second legal challenge brought by six same sex couples who were denied marriage licenses is currently pending before Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Sarah Zable. A ruling in their favor would likely mean both cases will move to the 3rd District Court of Appeals.
Joining us on our regular Friday media roundtable to discuss this and other stories is our panel of local journalists:
- A.G. Gancarski, Folio Weekly columnist
- Tim Gibbons, Jacksonville Business Journal editor
- Fred Matthews, Examiner blogger
You can follow Melissa Ross on Twitter @MelissainJax.
