Sen. Nelson Vows to Support Gay Marriage

'If we are endowed by our creator with rights, then why shouldn't those be attainable by gays and lesbians?' Sen. Bill Nelson told the Tampa Bay Times.

In a statement to the Tampa Bay Times editorial board, Florida Sen. Bill Nelson has pledged to support gay marriage. Nelson pledged to sign a petition asking the Supreme Court to overturn the prohibition of same-sex marriage. Nelson, a 70-year-old Democrat, said in the statement: "It is generally accepted in American law and U.S. society today '. . . that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.' I believe that. The civil rights and responsibilities for one must pertain to all." Nelson joins a growing list of Democrats to support same-sex marriage. His statements represent a change in his position on gay marriage. The …

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What's Tampa Bay Saying?

Gay Marriage: How Should the Supreme Court Decide?

An anti-gay marriage case goes before the highest court in the land this week, and we’d like to get your take on how justices should decide.

Can a state ban gay marriage? That’s the question going before the United States Supreme Court this week as opponents of California’s Proposition 8, which effectively bans gay marriage, take their arguments to the highest court in the land. That proposition was approved by California voters in 2008, which was the same year Floridian’s passed a state constitutional amendment that prohibits gay marriage here. The premise of the challenge is that the United States Constitution’s Equal Protection clause found in the 14th Amendment effectively prohibits states like California (and Florida) from defining marriage as solely a union between man and woman. If the case makes it through a technical hurdle, justices are expected to hear arguments this…

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Should Same-Sex Marriages be Legalized in Florida?

The Supreme Court will hear two same-sex marriage cases in 2013.

When news broke Friday that the United States Supreme Court would take up two gay marriage cases, St. Pete Patch posted a few questions on Facebook. Should gay marriage be legal in Florida? Should there be a new federal law allowing it? Patch wanted to know what St. Pete thought about same-sex marriages. According to those that responded, 90 percent agreed it should be legal. "'Allowing it'" It should be a given!" wrote Sheree Rensel.  "Marriage is a legal status that should be afforded all US citizens," wrote Diane McSpiritt. "Those that have a problem with 'religious' use of the word marriage need to come up with a new name for religious unions and allow the legal term marriage to stand for all citizens. Why we are still discussing this …

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Is Chick-fil-A Anti-Gay Marriage? Flap Ensues After CEO Comments

The popular restaurant chain has come under fire after remarks the CEO made about emphasizing 'biblical values' in his business.

You can't tell by the long lines at Florida restaurants that there's a national online flap about Chick-fil-A and its outspoken CEO. Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy has come under fire from online bloggers for comments he made in an interview with the Baptist Press. In the interview, Cathy described his support for "the biblical defintion of the family unit," reports the Los Angeles Times. “We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives,” Cathy said in the interview with Baptist Press. The article noted that the popular restaurant chain trains workers “to focus on values rooted in the Bible.” Chick-fil-A's across the country are closed on Sundays for the Sabbath. Several online bloggers wrote that …

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Support for Gay Marriage Up in Florida

According to a poll from Public Policy Polling the support for gay marriage in Florida is up eight percentage points since September 2011.

Equality Florida Stands with Obama on Gay Marriage

The gay rights group lauded President Barack Obama's decision to publicly voice support for same-sex marriage.

The head of Equality Florida praised President Barack Obama Wednesday for voicing his support for lesbian and gay couples who want to marry. This is a "historic day," said Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida. "The President's support moves us closer to the day when all Americans will be able to enjoy full marriage equality," Smith said in a written statement released this afternoon to the media. On Wednesday, Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage in a sit-down interview with ABC's Robin Roberts. During the interview with ABC News Obama stated that he's "always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly," Obama told Roberts. "I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I…

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