A judge has cleared the way for Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples next week.
Wednesday’s ruling by Circuit Judge Tim Shea appears to mean that gay and lesbian couples will be able to get married at the Orange County courthouse on Jan. 6, the first day that becomes legal under a federal ruling.
A Tallahassee federal judge has declared the state’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional and ordered his ruling implemented on Tuesday.
But the Florida Association of Court Clerks and Comptrollers two weeks ago told its members not to issue the licenses, saying they might be subject to prosecution. Moore Russell said at the time that she would follow that advice.
Behind the scenes, though, she was working on the problem.
Gay marriage legal battle produced suit against Orange County clerk – Orlando Sentinel.
