In Your State: Florida

• 2008 Constitutional amendment passed: Inasmuch as marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized. See Florida Const. Art. I, New Section) (Proposition 2)
• 1997 Anti-marriage bill adopted. House Bill 147 introduced by Rep. Johnny Byrd. Restricts marriage to different-sex couples only, and deny recognition to lawful marriages of same-sex couples under all circumstances. Passed in stacked Governmental Operations Committee, and then passed the full House on March 25. On May 29, Gov. Lawton Chiles chose not to veto the bill, allowing it to become law without his signature. Senate Bill 272 introduced by Sen. John Grant (R). Passed Judiciary Committee March 12; passed Senate. See Florida Statues Title XLIII, § 741.04 and § 741.212.

See Fla. Stat. § 760.01

* Passing state and federal level laws explicitly prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation is the only way to ensure equality. However, you should be aware that some measure of protection already exists under Title VII and the Constitution's guarantee of Equal Protection. If you or your counsel has questions, please contact Lambda Legal's Help Desk.