The U.S. Supreme Court says it will decide whether same-sex couples nationwide have a right to marry under the Constitution. The decision by the high court to take up the case has supporters and opponents of gay marriage excited.
Florida recently became the 36th state in the nation to recognize same-sex marriages after a federal court and several state courts found the state’s gay marriage ban unconstitutional. Florida is now one of a majority of states where same-sex unions are legal, but not all courts have been nearly as unanimous in their rulings on the issue, as evidenced by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to accept the case.
In Florida, supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage are praising the court’s decision.
"All along, I have maintained that the U.S. Supreme Court should decide the same sex marriage issue in order to provide uniformity in Florida and resolve the legal issue nationwide," Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement, "I am pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court will hear the same sex marriage issue and provide finality on the matter."
Bondi defended Florida's gay marriage ban in court. On her side is the Florida Family Policy Council, which led the effort to get the gay marriage ban in Florida's constitution.
"People should have the right to vote on defining marriage and we are very hopeful the high court will uphold that right," said the council's president, John Stemberger.
Meanwhile, same-sex marriage proponents are excited about the prospect of the U.S. Supreme Court setting the same-sex marriage question once and for all.
“We’re certainly excited the court has agreed to take this up, because as you know Florida recently became the 36th state to have the freedom to marry and we’re looking forward to the day when all 50 states do," said ACLU of Florida spokesman Baylor Johnson.
