Former Florida Governor Charlie Crist
on Thursday applauded a judge's ruling striking down the state's ban
on gay marriage.
Monroe County Circuit Judge Luis Garcia
declared the marriage ban unconstitutional and ordered Monroe County
Clerk Amy Heavilin to begin issuing marriage licenses to gay and
lesbian couples on Tuesday, July 22.
(Related: Florida
judge strikes down state's gay marriage ban.)
“This is a great step toward equality
in Florida,” Crist tweeted to his more than 19,600 followers.
“#LoveisLove.”
Crist, who is currently campaigning for
his old job as a Democrat, filed an amicus brief in support of
a federal challenge to Florida's marriage ban.
(Related: Charlie
Crist files brief in support of marriage equality.)
Crist, who previously supported the
ban, has cited the GOP's opposition to marriage equality as chief
among his reasons for leaving the Republican Party.