Miami-Dade Judge Allows Early Start for Gay Weddings

Circuit Judge Sarah Zabel ruled Monday that same-sex couples in Florida could begin getting marriage licenses immediately, paving the way for same-sex marriages to begin in the Sunshine State.

Miami-Dade County Clerk Harvey Ruvin said gay marriage ceremonies could begin taking place as early as Monday afternoon.

In 2008, voters took the issue to the polls, voting against allowing gay marriage in Florida, but after a lengthy legal battle, a federal judge ruled the ban unconstitutional in December, saying the ban was discriminatory and violated equal protection guarantees.

Same-sex marriages are set to begin in other parts of the state after midnight Tuesday.