US: Florida Attorney General to fight to stop gay couples from divorcing

As well as fighting to keep her state’s ban on same-sex marriage, the Florida Attorney General has said she also intends to stop gay couples married out of state from divorcing.

Circuit Judge Laurel M Lee last week refused to dissolve the marriage of a same-sex couple, stating: “The Court is without jurisdiction to dissolve that which does not exist.”

The couple married in Massachusetts, and the marriage is not recognised in Florida.

Pam Bondi’s office announced on Friday that would enter the case, which is now at the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.

The announcement said Bondi would intervene “to defend state law, ensure further review if necessary, and promote an orderly resolution of the legal issues presented.”

Florida’s Attorney General Pam Bondi has claimed that defending a ban on same-sex marriage doesn’t make her a homophobe – because she has many gay friends.

After Bondi lost legal battles in four separate counties, Florida’s same-sex marriage ban was declared unconstitutional by a federal judge last month, but the Republican plans to appeal.

• Dec 01 2023

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