After Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage was lifted Monday, many of its opponents were left flying a white flag, while others began pondering their next move.
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi led an aggressive, multi-state campaign against marriage equality, vigorously defending the state’s 2008 gay marriage ban. Bondi spoke during the inauguration events. When asked if she had plans to continue on that same path in 2015 during her second term, her responses were pointedly vague and open-ended, although she did repeat that she had a strong desire to “seek unity.” Bondi is waiting on the outcome of an appeal of a federal judge’s decision overturning the gay marriage ban. The case is before the 11th district court of appeals.
Bondi’s final remarks carried a much more encouraging tone than expected as she congratulated the same-sex couples who had recently made their unions official. She was, however, quick to point out that marriage equality has only been legalized in Miami.
“Now gay marriage is legal in Miami, at least, and in a couple other counties, and I wish them the best, and I don’t look at anything politically,” the Attorney General said. “I look at it as doing my job, and upholding my oath of office.”
A state judge lifted her stay on a ruling Monday declaring the state’s gay marriage ban unconstitutional. Miami-Dade same-sex couples were the first to wed. A stay on a federal judge’s similar ruling was lifted Monday at midnight, allowing couples in other parts of the state to apply for marriage licenses and begin getting married Tuesday—the day Bondi, and other cabinet officials were sworn in for their second terms.
