Statewide

Statement From Nadine Smith, Executive Director, Equality Florida

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Today’s rulings are a major step forward for the country, but for Floridians they fall far short of justice and are more than anything a call to action.

For those of us who live in state’s like Florida where our marriages are still not recognized, today’s rulings are a reminder that we cannot wait for justice to be handed to us, we are going to have to get engaged and fight.

A majority of Floridians support the freedom to marry, and this is our moment to stand up and get engaged on the right side of history.

Equality Florida’s Nadine Smith comments on today’s #SCOTUS rulings

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In a highly anticipated ruling, the Supreme Court ruled the federal Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional.

The 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, was signed into law by President Bill Clinton, barring federal recognition of same-sex marriages for purposes such as Social Security survivors’ benefits, insurance benefits, immigration and tax filing.

Activistas llaman a la movilización para exigir el matrimonio homosexual en Florida

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Miami (EE.UU.), 26 jun (EFE).- La organización Equality Florida llamó hoy, tras la decisión del Supremo de EE.UU. de invalidar la ley que define el matrimonio como la unión de un hombre y una mujer, a movilizarse en Florida y exigir a las autoridades que se reconozcan las bodas gais en este Estado.

Equality Florida weighs in on gay marriage ruling

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ORLANDO, Fla. - The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on Thursday, which ruled the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional prompted cheers outside the court in Washington, D.C., but the jubilation was subdued at Equality Florida's offices in Orlando.

The staff here is fighting to overturn the ban on same-sex marriage in the state of Florida.

Defense of Marriage Act reversal falls short in Florida

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While marriage equality supporters across the country celebrate today’s Supreme Court decision, Florida’s same-sex married couples are left out.

Supreme Court justices voted 5-4 to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act, which denied federal benefits to married same-sex couples, but did not address state laws that invalidate same-sex unions.

Florida has both a state statute and an amendment to its constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman and declaring invalid same-sex marriages entered into in other states.

For nationwide gay marriage, more battles ahead

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NEW YORK (AP) — Even as they celebrate a momentous legal victory, supporters of gay marriage already are anticipating a return trip to the Supreme Court in a few years, sensing that no other option but a broader court ruling will legalize same-sex unions in all 50 states.

In the meantime, as one gay-rights leader said, there will be "two Americas" — and a host of legal complications for many gay couples moving between them.

Rulings on gay marriage doesn't affect Fla. ban

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While gay rights advocates were celebrating two Supreme Court rulings on same-sex marriages Wednesday, gay couples still won't be able to marry in Florida.

The Supreme Court struck down a provision of a federal law denying federal benefits to married gay couples. It also left intact a lower court ruling overturning California's gay marriage ban.

South Floridians react to Supreme Court rulings: Justices overturn DOMA, reject Prop 8 appeal

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MIAMI BEACH, Fla. - South Floridians reacted to the Supreme Court's rulings Wednesday, which overturned the federal Defense of Marriage Act and rejected the appeal of a California marriage ban.

"It's a great decision, but I just think that there's a lot of growth that Florida needs to overcome," said Melanie Alenier.