A long fought battle led to the legalization of same-sex marriages in Florida and now marriage licenses will reflect the law.
Advertisement
The state’s Bureau of Vital Statistics announced that, starting Monday, marriage certificates and license applications will replace “bride” and “groom” with “spouse” and “spouse”.
The change in wording comes after the ban on same-sex marriage was lifted in Florida in January, then across the country in June.
Clerks will start using the revised forms on October 1st.
Equality Florida, a statewide organization advocating for gay and lesbian rights, submitted over 1,200 signatures to the Bureau of Vital Statistics in support of the measure. Three married same-sex couples across the state have filed a federal lawsuit claiming the current form is discriminatory.
Smith said Florida was behind the times when it came to allowing same-sex couples to put their names on birth certificates.
Changes could also be coming to Florida’s birth certificates.
“Pretty much nearly every other state has already done this”. The varieties are created on the state degree after which the native clerks administer the wedding certificates.
Advertisement
That decision was made after same sex marriage was made legal in the state.
