August 6, 2014
Fourth Judge Overturns Florida Same-Sex Marriage Ban
Bobby McGuire READ TIME: 1 MIN.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- A fourth judge in Florida has overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage in a single county.
Tuesday's ruling by Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Diana Lewis mirrors recent decision in Monroe, Miami-Dade and Broward counties. All found that a 2008 voter-approved constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in the state violates gay residents' right to equal protection under the law as guaranteed by the 14th Amendment.
Republican Attorney General Pam Bondi has filed a notice of appeal in the Monroe and Miami-Dade cases. No marriage licenses will be issued for gay couples in any of the four counties, pending appeals.
The Palm Beach Post reports that Tuesday's opinion is tied to a probate case surrounding the death of a man who owned property in Florida and married a man in Delaware, where gay marriage is legal.
