Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi on
Thursday filed a notice of appeal against a 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.)
“With many similar cases pending
throughout the entire country, finality on this constitutional issue
must come from the U.S. Supreme Court,” a spokesperson for Bondi's
office said in a statement.
Five additional challenges to Florida's
ban are wending their way through state and federal courts.
(Related: Charlie
Crist applauds Florida gay marriage ruling.)