Judge Rules All Florida Counties Must Issue Marriage Licenses

The first federal judge to find that Florida's ban on same-sex marriage, approved by voters in 2008 as Amendment 2, violates the U.S. Constitution had to issue a new order today clarifying the ruling that many equality activists thought didn't need clarification.

U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle confirmed today that all counties in Florida must issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples after his stay expires end of day January 5th.

Equality Florida released a statement saying, "We believe Judge Hinkle's order was clear from the beginning. We are pleased that he has cleared up the unnecessary confusion caused by a poorly written legal memo. We look forward to January 6th when couples who have waited for this day can finally be married and those of us married elsewhere are finally able to fully protect our families."

Read four most powerful quotes from Hinkle's original ruling here.

Read the full ruling here.