Amid UF’s Pride History Week, Florida issued its first legal recognition of a same-sex marriage.
Arlene Goldberg and Carol Goldwasser had been together for 47 years and married in New York. But when Goldwasser died, she was not listed as Goldberg’s wife on her death certificate.
After a long legal battle, the certificate was changed and issued to Goldberg Wednesday, said Equality Florida spokeswoman Sharon Kersten.
Kersten said U.S. District Court Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that Florida’s ban on marriage equality was unconstitutional, and in August, he ordered the state to issue a new death certificate for Goldwasser stating that the couple was in fact married.
“I think that the first recognized same-sex marriage in Florida is definitely a step in the right direction,” said Damian Gonzalez, UF Pride Student Union internal vice president.
UF Pride History Week started Monday and held a handful of events like a drag queen show, a National Coming Out Day celebration and a visit from speaker and activist George Takei.
UF computer science engineering junior Angela Evans attended Takei’s speech and said Goldwasser’s recognition was admirable for Florida.
“I can’t wait to see the day where it’s legalized for everyone everywhere,” the 21-year-old said.
[A version of this story ran on page 1 on 10/10/2014]
