FORT LAUDERDALE: Convention Bureau Endorses Overturn of Marriage Ban

Via press release:

The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau today announced its unconditional support for the overturning of bans on same-sex marriage in Florida. Florida’s prohibition of same-sex marriages, including a ban on recognizing same-sex marriage performed in states where it is legal, may be repealed this year pending the outcome of two separate lawsuits currently before state and federal courts. Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau President, Nicki E. Grossman, said “after years of seeking equal rights for the LGBT community in Florida, it is the right time to do the right thing and allow same sex marriage throughout the state.”

With the highest number of same-sex couples in the country, and as one of the top LGBT vacation destinations in the world, Greater Fort Lauderdale has long been a pioneering advocate of the LGBT community in Florida.“The rainbow flag flies loud and proud in Broward County and we can’t wait to celebrate the legalization of same-sex marriage with couples from all walks of life and from all over the country,” Ms. Grossman said. The destination’s open and welcoming relationship with transgender, lesbian, gay, and bi-sexual residents, tourists and businesses, has been gratifying with a resulting record-breaking 1.3 million LGBT visitors in 2013.

Marriage hearings have already been held in the cases brought against Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Summary judgments were requested in both cases. The cities of Orlando and Miami Beach have also issued resolutions endorsing the overturn of the ban.