In just three weeks, three Florida state circuit judges have ruled that Florida's ban on marriages of same-sex couples is unconstitutional. Today, it was Judge Dale Cohen of Broward County.
From Freedom To Marry:
Today, August 4, a judge in Broward County, FL state court struck down Florida’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples. More than 30 decisions have been issued in favor of the freedom to marry (with no rulings against) since June 2013. See all of the marriage wins in court here.
The ruling in today's case, from Broward County Circuit Judge Dale Cohen, is the third marriage ruling in three weeks, following a July 17 ruling in Monroe County's Huntsman v. Heavilin and July 25's ruling in Miami-Dade County's Pareto v. Ruvin. In all 3 cases, judges ruled that banning same-sex couples from marrying is unconstitutional. All three rulings are stayed, and the two previous rulings have been appealed by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.
For now, today's decision only applies to Broward County. The next step for the Miami-Dade and Monroe County decisions is review by Florida's 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals. Last week, the plaintiffs in both cases moved to consolidate their cases and filed a motion seeking review directly by the Florida Supreme Court.
There is one difference with this ruling (compared to the other two). This ruling also declared Florida's ban on legal out of state marriages of same-sex couples unconstitutional as well.
From Equality Florida:
Today, Broward Circuit Judge Dale Cohen struck down Florida’s marriage ban, affirming that the denial of marriage equality to same-sex couples in Florida is unconstitutional. The judge's ruling applies to recognition of out-of-state same-sex marriages, as well as overturning Florida's ban on same-sex marriage - Broward County only.
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.
“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."
You can read Judge Cohen's opinion here.