Statewide

Written by: ASHLEY WHITNEY  

Written by: Lauren Munsey

It is a critical day for the marriage equality movement in the Sunshine State.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has until midnight tonight to respond to a federal judge's request to lift a stay and allow marriage licenses to be issued to same-sex couples in Florida.

The decision coming days after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear appeals of five circuit court rulings that found state gay marriage bans unconstitutional.

Written by: Gary Fineout

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who has repeatedly called it her duty to defend the state's ban on gay marriage, now wants the state's highest court to decide whether the constitutional amendment is legal.

Bondi's office filed a request late Monday with the 3rd District Court of Appeal in Miami that asks the court to immediately send two consolidated cases to the Florida Supreme Court for a decision. In both cases, judges declared the state's gay marriage ban unconstitutional.

Written by: Melanie Payne

Patty Chafatelli and Bonnie Bahr were married last year in Washington. Saturday was their one-year anniversary. What should have been a happy day was marred by grief. The two Cape Coral women were in New Jersey, making final arrangements for Chafatelli's mom Dorothy who died Oct. 10.

Bahr, who works for Lee County, has missed a week of work. And she needs to stay longer because the wet weather delayed the scheduled burial in the family plot in New Jersey, as Dorothy had wished.

Written by: Brandon Shaik

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi turned heads Monday night when she demanded the Florida Supreme Court make a definitive decision on gay marriage in the Sunshine State.

Currently, gay marriage is legal in 29 U.S. states. Of these, 12 legalized gay marriage this month alone, according to CNN. Bondi is arguing that Florida’s citizens need a firm and permanent answer regarding gay marriage, as soon as possible, and she couldn’t be more right.

Written by: STEVE ROTHAUS

Jazz Jennings, who at 14 already has become a nationally known transgender activist and author, this week achieved two new honors: Time magazine named her to the 2014 list of 25 Most Influential Teens and Equality Florida will present her with its Voice for Equality award.

Written by: Bill Thompson

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi on Monday said she would keep battling for the state's ban on same-sex marriage, saying it is her duty to do so until the issue reaches "finality."