Florida Democrats Bent on Removing Florida’s Statutory Same-Sex Marriage Ban

Tallahassee, Fl- For the seventh year in a row, Florida Democrats have filed a bill to remove Florida statutes’ ban of same-sex marriage. 

Senator Tina Scott Polsky (D) filed the bill, which would repeal the relevant portion of Florida statutes that prohibits same sex marriages within the state. 

The nationwide legalization of same sex marriages in 2016 by the United States Supreme Court’s (SCOTUS) decision in Obergefell v. Hodges effectively nullified Florida’s ban. However, while same sex marriages are now allowed in Florida, the statutory ban was never officially repealed. 

Former Democrat Governor Lawton Chiles signed the ban into law in 1997. Former Republican Senator and Democrat Governor Candidate Charlie Crist also supported the ban.

The Obergefell ruling incited Democrat attempts to remove the ban, which Republicans have repeatedly blocked. Analysts suggest Republicans want to preserve the ban in case the SCOTUS changes course, as it did on abortion and affirmative action issues during the recent past. 

Senator Polsky has also actively responded to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, most recently criticizing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for condemning Hamas while allegedly ignoring Nazi sympathizers.

Polsky supported Governor DeSantis’ opposition to pro-Palestinian rallies in South Florida, but called for him to also address “Nazis who march all over Florida and carry your signs.”

Florida legislators, Democrat ad Republicans alike, have inconspicuously condemned Hamas' attacks on Israel. Recently, Palm Beach Legislators Senator Lori Berman (D) and Representative Katherine Waldron (D) introduced a joint bipartisan resolution to condemn Hamas’ attacks on Israel.

The resolution reaffirms “solidarity with the State of Israel” and underscores Florida’s support for “Israel's right to defend itself” from the recent “unprovoked attack by Hamas.”