The Florida judge who last week struck
down the state's gay marriage ban on Monday refused to lift a stay on
his ruling pending state appeal.
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.)
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi on
Friday filed a notice of appeal, placing the ruling on hold.
On Monday, plaintiffs Aaron Huntsman,
43, and William Lee Jones, 42, asked Garcia to lift the automatic
stay and allow gay couples to marry in Monroe County.
“The automatic stay, currently in
place, shall remain in place until completion of appellate
proceedings or until further order of this Court,” Garcia
wrote in a brief 1-page order.