Same-sex marriage has been legal in Florida since January 6, , as a result of a ruling in Brenner v. Scott from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida. The court ruled the state's same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional on August 21, The order was stayed temporarily.
Understanding the current status of gay marriage laws in Florida requires examining a combination of state statutes, constitutional amendments, and landmark court rulings. These elements collectively shape the legal framework governing same-sex marriages within the state.
While same-sex marriage has been legal in Florida for nearly eight years because of court rulings, a ban has remained in state law but has not been in effect. Now, a state lawmaker has filed a bill to remove it.
(3) For purposes of interpreting any state statute or rule, the term “marriage” means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the term “spouse” applies only to a member of such a union.