News (USA)

Same-sex couple’s divorce hearing set before Broward County judge

Same-sex couple’s divorce hearing set before Broward County judge

Update: Divorce granted, AG Pam Bondi expected to appeal. More here


FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A Broward County judge who found Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional has set a hearing to finalize the divorce of a gay couple.

Judge Dale Cohen
Judge Dale Cohen

Circuit Judge Dale Cohen in August agreed with other judges in declaring the gay marriage ban unconstitutional.

But he delayed granting a divorce for Heather Brassner and Megan Lade because of a legal technicality.

A hearing is set Wednesday afternoon on making the divorce final. Brassner and Lade were united in a 2002 civil union in Vermont, but Florida has not previously recognized out-of-state gay marriage.

Brassner’s attorney Nancy Brodzki says she expects Attorney General Pam Bondi to appeal the decision, just as she has several other rulings against the gay marriage ban.

The ban was enshrined in the state constitution by voters in 2008.

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