Supreme Court allows Florida same-sex marriages to proceed
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to halt the start of same-sex marriages in Florida, which are set to begin early next month despite an ongoing appeals process.
In an order handed down late Friday, the Supreme Court denied a stay request by attorneys for the state of Florida seeking to halt the implementation date of a lower court ruling striking down the state’s same-sex marriage ban during the appeals process. 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 will likely begin the following day.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi had asked Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who oversees the 11th Circuit, to extend the stay. Thomas referred the issue to the full court, which denied the stay. The order handed down Friday notes that Thomas and Justice Antonin Scalia would have granted the stay.
Earlier this month, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals denied a request by the state to extend the stay of the lower court’s ruling overturning the state’s same-sex marriage ban. 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. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has not yet rendered judgement in the case.
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
You must be logged in to post a comment.