

14 More States to Go! Florida Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage
Add one more state to the growing list of states that are getting with the times. Florida legalizes same-sex marriage becoming the 36th state to remove the ban that would not permit gays the right to marry. Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that the state’s same-sex marriage ban was unconstitutional back in August 2014, as part of a federal lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida. Judge Hinkle issued a temporary hold on his decision and gave Attorney General Pam Bondi until Monday (Jan. 5) to file an appeal, but Bondi failed to extend the deadline.
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Sarah Zabel presided over Florida’s first legally recognized same-sex marriages Monday afternoon, although the statewide ban didn't officially expire until Tuesday at midnight. At 12:01 a.m., each one of Florida's 67 counties were required to issue wedding licenses to LGBT couples. Financial advisor and television host, Suze Orman called Florida's decision to overturn their ban "an investment in validity."
Back in 2008, 62% of Florida voters approved of the gay-marriage ban and today, Florida's legalization pushes the number of Americans living in same-sex states up to 70%. Surely, that is major improvement.