US: Twice-divorced Florida AG concedes defeat in crusade against same-sex marriage
Florida’s Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has divorced twice, has finally conceded defeat in her crusade to stop same-sex weddings.
A stay on a ruling striking down the state’s ban on same-sex marriage is currently set to expire on January 5, which would allow marriages to begin immediately.
However, Republican Attorney General Pam Bondi – who according to some reports is married to her third husband – took the case to both the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the US Supreme Court, in a desperate bid to stop gay couples from marrying.
The Supreme Court yesterday refused to intervene in the case – smacking down her request to extend the stay, meaning couples can begin to marry on January 5 as planned.
In a statement shortly after, Bondi – who has spent much of the past year defending her aggressive action against same-sex marriage – finally admitted defeat.
She said: “Tonight, the United States Supreme Court denied the State’s request for a stay in the case before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
“Regardless of the ruling it has always been our goal to have uniformity throughout Florida until the final resolution of the numerous challenges to the voter-approved constitutional amendment on marriage.
“Nonetheless, the Supreme Court has now spoken, and the stay will end on January 5.”
Ms Bondi previously claimed in a legal brief that “disrupting Florida’s existing marriage laws would impose significant public harm”, and would cause “significant financial and logistical problems”.
She later defended the statements – claiming that she has gay friends.
The politician said: “People always talk about personal views, it has to do with an Attorney General doing her job. It is my job.
“I have a lot of gay friends, I can tell you I sat in a church and took pictures when one of my friends adopted two little boys from Russia before you could adopt legally here in Florida. I took the pictures at the baptism.”
Despite her claims, Governors and Attorney Generals in several other states have refused to defend same-sex marriage bans.
