The City of Wilton Manors Celebrates in Wake of Court Ruling Not to Extend Stay and To Allow Legal Same Sex Marriages in Florida

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Dec 04, 2014, 08:15 ET

WILTON MANORS, Fla., Dec. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the City of Wilton Manors and all those in favor of marriage equality in Florida are celebrating in the wake of yesterday's ruling by a federal appeals court that a stay in the state's gay-marriage ban case will be lifted at the end of the day on January 5, 2015.

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"With the holiday season upon us, this really is an incredible gift for the State of Florida," states Mayor Gary Resnick. "Lifting the stay and allowing same sex couples to marry is truly breaking down barriers of discrimination that have no place in today's society."

The stay followed the August 21, 2014 ruling of U.S. Judge Robert L. Hinkle of Tallahassee who threw out the gay-marriage ban in Florida's constitution. Yesterday's ruling turned down a request by Florida's secretaries of health and management services and the clerk of the court in the Panhandle's Washington County to extend the stay.

It is important to recognize that couples seeking to marry either need to take the marriage classes or will need to wait three days after obtaining a license to get married. Thus, if court clerks begin issuing licenses on Jan. 6, the earliest couples will be able to get married would be Jan. 9, unless they attend marriage classes.

"With 35 states allowing same sex marriage, Florida is definitely heading in the right direction," said Resnick. "January 2015 could hold a very special place in our state's history, a time in our history that will forever be remembered as a turning point for the thousands of same sex couples, like my partner Eric and I, who patiently wait to be treated equally."

As a result of the 2010 US Census, the City of Wilton Manors was named the "Second gayest City" in the United States. With a large percentage of the population identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, Wilton Manors has been recognized nationally and internationally as one of the most progressive places to live, work and play for many years.

ABOUT THE CITY OF WILTON MANORS

Wilton Manors was laid out in 1925 by Edward John "Ned" Willingham, a land developer from Georgia, as an upscale residential community. It was recognized as a Village in 1947 and incorporated as a City in 1953. Today, the City of Wilton Manors offers all the benefits of a big city from shopping, to hip restaurants and bars, a burgeoning arts community and tons of community events, yet still maintains a cozy, community-feeling offering miles of natural waterways perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding and other outdoor activities. Recently named the "Second Gayest City" in the United States, the City of Wilton Manors celebrates a diverse population of approximately 12,000 residents. To learn more about the live, work and play opportunities in Wilton Manors call (954) 390-2100 or visit www.wiltonmanors.com.

CONTACT: Laurie Menekou, (954) 732-0754 (or) [email protected]

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SOURCE City of Wilton Manors