Breaking: Florida Judge Rules Ban On Same-Sex Marriage Unconstitutional

A county circuit judge has just struck down Florida’s voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage, the first of three cases in the Sunshine State’s courts right now. 

Florida same-sex couples, including the plaintiffs, will be allowed to marry starting Tuesday.

Time notes that “applies only to Monroe County, which covers the [Florida] Keys.”

In his ruling, Monroe County Circuit Judge Luis Garcia — who was appointed by then-Gov. Jeb Bush — wrote a lengthy rebuke to those who place public opinion over the rule of law and equality for all:

The judge also negated the state’s claim that banning same-sex couples from marrying protects children. 

Miami Herald’s Steve Rothaus adds that “Aaron Huntsman and William Lee Jones, who met at a gay pride celebration and have been a couple for 11 years, sued Monroe County Clerk Amy Heavilin in April for a marriage license. Their case mirrors a similar suit in Miami-Dade County, in which six same-sex couples and LGBT advocacy group Equality Florida Institute sued County Clerk Harvey Ruvin for the right to marry.”

UPDATE: Embattled AG Pam Bondi Immediately Files Appeal Of Ruling Overturning Florida Marriage Ban

Freedom to Marry adds that this ruling marks “the 25th consecutive ruling in favor of the freedom to marry (with no rulings against) since June 2013.”