Florida Clerks Won't Give Gays Marriage Licenses
Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter
ORLANDO (CBSMiami/AP) – An Associated Press survey has revealed most of Florida's 67 clerks of court don't plan to issue marriage licenses to gay couples on January 6th.
The primary reason? Confusion.
The overwhelmingly majority of clerks who responded to AP's inquiry this week said they wouldn't offer marriage licenses to same-sex couples without further clarification from a federal judge on whether his ruling applies beyond Washington County. A lawsuit filed in the remote Panhandle county by two men seeking to be married became a key basis for U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle's decision ruling the state's same-sex marriage ban unconstitutional.
The association representing Florida's clerks has issued an opinion that the ruling doesn't apply to other counties, and said clerks can be prosecuted for violating the law if they issue same-sex marriage licenses. Most Florida's clerks are following that advice.
"I'm not going to break the law," said Paula O'Neill, the clerk for Pasco County, in the St. Petersburg area. "I'm not going to issue licenses until it's legal."
Of the 53 clerks who responded to the AP survey, 46 said they wouldn't grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples because they lack legal authority. Six clerks said they hadn't made up their minds; Only one clerk outside Washington County, Osceola County's Armando Ramirez, said he would issue the licenses.
Ramirez said his office would begin issuing marriage permits for same-sex couples a minute after midnight on Jan. 6. He said it's a matter of not discriminating against a minority group.
"We won't waste any time," he said.
Gay rights groups are disputing the clerk association's interpretation of Hinkle's ruling, and they're threatening legal action if licenses for same-sex couples aren't issued across the state. On Wednesday, they sent out a memo to Florida's 67 clerks of courts stating the clerks are required to stop enforcing Florida's ban on same-sex marriage in two weeks.
"We are prepared to fight," said Sharon Kersten, a public relations consultant for Equality Florida, the gay rights group.
Some clerks said they're hoping for clarification from a court. Dwight Brock, clerk of Collier County in southwest Florida, said it would be "disastrous" if counties didn't act in a uniform manner. He hasn't decided what to do given the conflicting opinions.
"It is as clear as mud," Brock said.
The judge may offer some clarity. Washington County's clerk on Tuesday asked Hinkle if his ruling applied only to the couple in the lawsuit or to any same-sex couple seeking a marriage license from the county. On Wednesday, Hinkle asked two state agencies, to offer their positions by next Monday.
Several clerks who don't plan to issue the licenses until they get further clarification said they're conflicted, since they support gay rights.
"I've been with the gay community on the issue of equality, forever. I want to see this resolved," said Pat Frank, clerk for Hillsborough County. "The only thing that concerns me are the penalties that might affect my office. It's a first-degree misdemeanor if the State Attorney decides to prosecute me."
At least one Florida prosecutor, State Attorney Jeff Ashton in Orlando, has said he wouldn't prosecute any clerks for issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. His jurisdiction covers Orange and Osceola counties.
Some clerks are considering sending same-sex couples to county judges, who are also allowed to issue marriage licenses under Florida law. County judges can waive some marriage-license requirements, such as the three-day waiting period or the restriction on a minor getting married.
"Maybe, if nothing changes, we would treat it like these other cases, and send it to a county judge," said Ken Burke, clerk of Pinellas County.
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
RELATED CONTENT:
