Following a state federal appellate court decision Wednesday, same-sex couples could legally marry in Florida as soon as Jan. 5.
Florida’s same-sex marriage ban was originally overturned by U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle on Aug. 21.
But he immediately put a hold on the ruling, effectively postponing same-sex marriage legalization in Florida until the U.S. Supreme Court considered and decided on the case.
But when the Supreme Court failed to pick up the case by Oct. 6, a conditional 90-day countdown began, which kept Hinkle’s hold in place until Jan. 5.
Despite Florida’s forthcoming legalization, Attorney General Pam Bondi fought to defend the ban.
She asked the federal appellate court Florida falls under — the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals — to extend the hold, but on Wednesday, the court refused.
Unless the court decides to uphold the ban, same-sex couples will be able to marry when the countdown concludes this January.
UF alumna Sam Casanova, 21, said she is glad she may have the opportunity to marry a significant other in her home state.
“As a queer woman, this means a lot to me,” she said. “I think people are just realizing that marriage should be open to everyone.”
[A version of this story ran on page 1 on 12/4/2014]
