Orlando – An Orange County judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Florida Family Action, a notorious anti-gay group that was trying to stop the Orange County Clerk from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
FFA filed their emergency alternative writ of mandamus Jan. 15 in the 9th Circuit Court of Orange County, asking a judge to command Orange County Clerk Tiffany Moore Russell “to perform her ministerial duty not to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples.”
Now that the initial lawsuit has been dismissed, the FFA appealed to the Fifth District Court of Appeals, according to a statement from the Orange County Clerk’s office.
“I appreciate the courts quick attention to this matter and our office will review and respond as appropriate,” said Clerk Russell in a media release. “My obligation is to follow the law under the United States and Florida Constitutions. Judge Hinkle specifically certified his ruling and, based on that clarification, all 67 County Clerks throughout the State of Florida have followed his interpretation of the United States Constitution and provided marriage licenses to all applicants.”
Federal Judge Robert Hinkle ruled Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional in August 2014, and a stay on that ruling expired Jan. 5, 2015, which allowed legal, same-sex marriages in Florida to begin Jan 6. Hinkle also issued an order Jan. 1 clarifying that his August ruling that does apply to all Florida counties.
