Same-sex marriage ban in Florida law targeted
TALLAHASSEE - While same-sex marriage has been legal in Florida for nearly eight years because of court rulings, a ban has remained in state law.
But Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, filed a bill Wednesday that would change that. The bill (SB 80), filed for consideration during the 2023 legislative session, would repeal a section of law that includes the ban.
Same-sex marriages began in Florida in January 2015 after U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that the ban was unconstitutional.
The U.S. Supreme Court later in 2015 ruled that same-sex couples have a right to marry nationwide.
While the Florida ban has not been in effect, the Republican-controlled Legislature has not removed it from state law.
The 2023 session will start in March.