STATEMENT: Gov. Scott & AG Bondi's Request to Delay Marriage Case Granted
11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Grants Governor Scott & Attorney General Bondi’s Request to Delay Marriage Equality Case
October 9, 2014 - Today the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit granted the extension requested by the Governor and Attorney General of Florida, delaying the deadline of important briefs until after Election Day. Appellant briefs are now due November 14, 2014. [link to brief : http://bit.ly/1vRy2F3 ]
“Governor Scott and Attorney General Bondi are not making decisions based on equal protection under the law, the US Supreme Court or the US Constitution. They are thinking only of their own re-election campaigns and Florida deserves better,” continued Smith. “With 60% of the United States now recognizing marriage equality, will Florida come in last? Attorneys General in Colorado and West Virginia have now dropped their appeals and we call on Florida’s elected leaders to do the same.”
US District Court Judge Robert Hinkle ruled on August 21, 2014 that Florida’s ban on marriage for same-sex couples was unconstitutional and – despite a stay on his ruling –ordered the State of Florida to issue a new death certificate for Carol Goldwasser, naming her partner of 47 years, Arlene Goldberg, as her wife. Arlene was first added as a plaintiff in Grimsley and Albu v. Scott when the ACLU filed a motion of preliminary injunction in April asking the court to immediately stop enforcing laws barring legal respect for marriages between same-sex couples.
This delay comes as hundreds of Florida families have requested to meet with the Governor in person this week to tell him face to face the harm marriage discrimination inflicts on their loved ones including children denied the protections only marriage legally provides.