UPDATE: The Tele-Town Hall has been scheduled for Monday, July 1st at 7:00pm.
Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has issued its opinions on DOMA and Prop 8, many Floridians are asking, “What does this mean for LGBT rights here in Florida?”
DOMA is Dead. The fight in Florida is Alive!
Wednesday's US Supreme Court rulings have been celebrated by same-sex supporters across our area.
But since gay marriage is not recognized by Florida, the fight in the Sunshine state is just beginning.
‘Equality Florida' is the state's largest LGBT civil rights organization.
‘Equality Florida' Executive Director Brian Winfield said, "This is a quantum leap forward for our whole nation."
The U.S. Supreme Court handed down two landmark decisions Wednesday – both by 5-4 votes.
The Court first struck down the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA. Next, it vacated a lower court’s decision on California’s Proposition 8. While this latter decision didn’t set up marriage as a civil right, it does clear the way for gay marriages to resume in California.
The low point for gays in Florida was 2008, when voters overwhelmingly supported a state constitutional amendment making same-sex marriage illegal. It was a demoralizing blow that came at the same time California voters approved Proposition 8, which also banned gay marriage.
Orlando's gay community and its supporters will hold a "Marriage Equality Rally" celebrating U.S. Supreme Court rulings on gay marriage at 7 p.m. today at Lake Eola Park.
Wednesday was bittersweet for Florida supporters of marriage equality.
The Supreme Court voted 5-4 to overturn part of the Defense of Marriage Act, which had denied federal benefits to married same-sex couples. But the ruling did not address state laws that invalidate same-sex unions.
Florida has a state statute and an amendment to its constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman, and maintaining that same-sex marriages from other states are invalid.