Broward Circuit Judge Dale Cohen struck down Florida’s marriage ban today, affirming that the denial of marriage equality to same-sex couples in Florida is unconstitutional, according to the Equality Florida Institute.
The judge’s ruling applies to recognition of out-of-state same-sex marriages and overturns Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage in Broward County only. Broward County includes Fort Lauderdale.
This marks the third time in the past few weeks that a Republican-appointed judge in Florida has ruled on the side of marriage equality. Earlier rulings were in Monroe County that includes Key West and Dade County that includes Miami.
“Every win in court brings us closer than we’ve ever been to the freedom to marry in Florida,” said Nadine Smith, CEO of Equality Florida. “We look forward to the day when all loving, committed couples and their families enjoy the same protections, opportunities and responsibilities of marriage under the law. Every passing day inflicts real hardships on families who are denied the legal protection and dignity that marriage equality provides.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi has been protecting the sanctity of “traditional marriage” by recently marrying her fourth husband and appealing the Dade and Monroe County rulings.
