US: ACLU files motion to allow Florida gay couples to marry
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a motion to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry in the US state of Florida.
The motion was filed on Tuesday with US District Judge Robert Hinkle. The judge in August ruled the 2008 voter-approved ban is in violation of the constitutional guarantee of equal protection and due process.
But Hinkle immediately stayed his ruling pending appeals.
The US Supreme Court on Monday rejected seven pending appeals in lawsuits to allow gays to marry, in effect allowing couples in eleven states to marry. Although the list did not include Florida, the ACLU has requested that gay couples be allow to marry there.
The office of Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is adamantly opposed to same-sex marriage, has not confirmed whether it will fight the motion by the ACLU.
A statement from Governor Rick Scott has said Bondi’s duties include defending the state constitution.
