Orange commissioners back legal battle in favor of same-sex marriage

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Written by: David Breen

After an emotional hearing, Orange County commissioners voted Tuesday to support the legal battle on behalf of gay couples seeking marital rights in Florida.

Commissioners voted 5-2 to join friend-of-the-court or "amicus" briefs calling on judges to overturn Florida's ban on same-sex marriage. In so doing, the county joins the city of Orlando and other governments across the state, including Broward and Alachua counties and the cities of Miami Beach, Tampa and St. Petersburg.

Mayor Teresa Jacobs and Commissioners Pete Clarke, Jennifer Thompson, Ted Edwards and Tiffany Moore Russell, who brought the issue before the board, voted yes. Commissioners Scott Boyd and Fred Brummer voted no.

Florida voters added the ban on gay marriage to the state constitution in 2008.

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