Months after Florida legalizes gay marriage, the Supreme Court upholds that right in all fifty states.
But there will still be no marriages of any kind at the Duval County Courthouse.
Shortly before marriage licenses could be legally issued to same-sex couples in Florida, the Duval Clerk of Courts announced- while they would issue a marriage license to any couple- they would no longer perform wedding ceremonies, despite having a room dedicated to that purpose. Initially, the call was made because the Clerk said his staff was not comfortable performing weddings for same-sex couples, although the office also says there were financial concerns.
“This was a function that we’re not required to perform, and it was actually costing us and the taxpayers $60,000 a year,” says Clerk’s Office Chief Operating Officer Derek Igou.
When asked whether today’s SCOTUS ruling would change the Clerk’s decision, Igou said nothing has changed in the past several months, citing again the economic concern.
GALLERY: Same-sex couples get marriage licenses in Duval
He says they did offer the wedding room to the Chief Judge and various organizations, like the Florida Bar.
“We’ve offered up the area that was formerly used for ceremonies for these people to use and perform the ceremonies if they choose,” he says.
So far, he says no deal has actually been worked out. I asked whether the interested parties would have to pay to use the room, and Igou says that would be up to whatever deal was worked out.
Clay and Baker counties also cancelled all marriage ceremonies around the same time as Duval.
VIDEO: Marriage ceremony outside of the Duval Courthouse
When licenses could legally be issued, it didn't slow the excitement for couples who came out to the Courthouse. Many chose to get married on the Courthouse steps by one of several attorneys and activists who showed up to perform the ceremonies.
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