A judge in Florida made a ruling that same-sex marriages could begin to occur beginning on Monday in Miami-Dade county.
Reuters reported that the decision by Judge Sarah Zabel was made before gay marriage would become legal throughout the entire state beginning at midnight. The decision was met with joy by individuals, including two couples who plan to marry as soon as their paperwork goes through.
Other judges in the state are beginning preparations to issue marriage licenses once the expiration of a stay on a ruling made by Judge Robert Hinkle in the city of Tallahassee. He also made a strike against the gay marriage ban.
According to the Miami Herald, the stay lifted by Judge Zabel came after she had made a ruling in July that the ban was discriminatory against same-sex couples.
One couple, Catherina Pareto and Karla Arguello, are already prepared to marry and Arguello said of the decision, “Finally. Finally, our family will not be treated any differently.” The couple have been together for over 14 years.
Same-sex couples are now able to become legally married in 36 states, including Washington D.C.