Breaking down the gay marriage ban ruling

By Romney Smith, Action News

A federal judge ruled the same-sex marriage ban in Florida is unconstitutional. Action News is finding out exactly what the ruling means for Florida.

Florida bans same-sex marriages and the state doesn’t recognize gay marriages that are legal in other states.

FSCJ Professor Erin Richman says Florida’s lawsuit is the latest addition to many other lawsuits from multiple states pushing for the change.

“It is yet another ruling in a tidal wave of rulings in favor of legalization of marriages between people of the same sex,” said Richman.

We reached out to Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi to get reaction.  Her office simply replied “We are reviewing the ruling.”

Jacksonville City Councilman Don Redman says the ruling is bad news.

“To change that, I don’t think is what God had intended,” said Redman.

For now, nothing changes as the judge pushes the lawsuit forward to the U.S. Supreme Court, which may give us a final answer on the legality of gay marriage.

“The Supreme Court would hear arguments on all of those cases at the end of this year and then issue a ruling usually next June, so within a calendar year,” said Richman. News of the ruling excited Equality Florida and Statewide Field Manager Jessica Osborn says it is a welcomed step in the right direction.

“It is the fifth consecutive victory in Florida and it leaves no doubt that this ban serves no purpose but to harm gay couples and their children,” said Osborn.

Jacksonville City Councilman Don Redman says the ruling could lead to a slippery slope.

“I don’t think that everybody should have the right to get married to whatever they want to...might want to get married to a dog!  Is that next? You know?” questioned Redman.

Florida’s case will now join many other lawsuits with the hope the U.S. Supreme Court will take up the issue in the fall.

“The states have kind of just at this point said at this point we really need one voice on this and that voice needs to be from the highest court in the land which is the Supreme Court,” said Richman.

But Equality Florida isn’t waiting; they’re calling for action now.

“We want Pam Bondi to move out of the way and we call on Gov. Rick Scott to join us in urging the Florida Supreme Court to take up this issue immediately,” said Osborn.

Posted: 6:21 p.m., Fri., Aug. 22, 2014, at Breaking down the gay marriage ban ruling

By Romney Smith, Action News