Bondi: Gay Marriage Would Cause Harm
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — Eight gay couples and the American Civil Liberties Union have sued Florida in federal court for not recognizing their marriages performed in other states where gay marriage is legal.
In court documents, Attorney General Pam Bondi said that recognizing same sex marriages performed in other states would "impose significant public harm."
The lawsuit argues Florida is discriminating against the couples by not recognizing same-sex marriages performed in states where they are legal.
Bondi filed a response that asks a federal judge to throw out the lawsuit.
Bondi's office says the state has a legitimate interest in defining a marriage as between a man and woman because Florida's voters adopted an amendment in 2008 that banned same-sex marriages.
The filing also says same-sex marriage recognition would create significant problems for the state's pension and health insurance programs.
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