Judge green lights same-sex marriage in Orlando

Orlando, Fla. (AP) — A Florida judge has given the clerk of courts in Orlando the green light to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples starting next week.

Circuit Judge Timothy Shea on Wednesday ruled that Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell won't be breaking the law if she issues marriage licenses to same-sex couples when Florida's ban on gay marriage is lifted next Tuesday.

Moore Russell had petitioned the court for a ruling, given the confusion among Florida's clerks of courts whether the lifting of the gay marriage ban applied to counties other than Washington County.

The remote county in Florida's Panhandle is where a lawsuit challenging the state's ban on gay marriage originated.

The association that represents county clerks has said the ruling applies only in Washington County.

By Mike Schneider, Associated Press. Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Gayly – December 31, 2014 @ 2:45pm