US: Federal judge rules Florida’s same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional
A federal judge has today declared Florida’s same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional.
District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled the 2008 voter-approved ban is in violation of the constitutional guarantee of equal protection and due process.
The judge immediately stayed his ruling pending appeals.
The stay means no same-sex marriages will occur in the state as of now.
A Florida Keys judge ruled in favour of same-sex marriage on 17 July.
A Miami-Dade County judge overturned Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage on 26 July.
A Broward County judge overturned the ban on 4 August.
A South Florida judge struck down the ban on 6 August.