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Broward County Judge Ruling on Same Sex Marriage an Encouraging Sign, says Rep Saunders  August 4th, 2014 | WMFE, Orlando- The latest ruling from a Florida circuit court judge on same sex marriage is an encouraging step towards marriage equality, according to Central Florida state representative Joe Saunders. [Rep. Joe Saunders, D- Orlando. Photo by Mark Foley, Florida House of Representatives] In a ruling Monday, Broward County Circuit judge Dale Cohen found that the state’s ban on same sex marriage is unconstitutional. Cohen also ruled that Florida must recognize same sex marriages performed in other states- but he stayed his decision pending appeal. Two previous decisions by judges overturning the state’s same sex marriage ban are also under appeal. Still, Saunders says he’s heartened by this week’s ruling. “Judge after judge after judge in a very short amount of time has been ruling bans like this unconstitutional across, across the country," says Saunders. "I think we’re seeing the beginning of the end to bans on marriage equality for loving same-sex couples in the country and it’s really exciting to see Florida making some real headway.” Saunders, a Central Florida Democrat, says there are still big challenges ahead for the LGBT community. He says he’s working to improve the lives of LGBT Floridians through a bill banning discrimination in housing, employment and public spaces. |
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