Over 1,400 same-sex marriage licences issued in Florida in two days

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Just under 1,400 marriage licences were issued to same-sex couples in 28 counties in the US state of Florida in the first two days since the same-sex marriage ban was lifted there.

Couples began marrying in Miami Dade county on 5January, after a ruling only applying to that county took effect there, and same-sex couples began marrying at midnight on 6 January, as soon as the marriage ban was lifted in all other counties.

In the state’s 28 most populous counties, which make up over 85% of the state’s population, 1,377 marriage licences were issued to same-sex couples.

The Associated Press reports that the number of marriage licences issued in some counties was three or four times the normal number.

Florida became the 36th whole state in the US to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry.

Florida’s Attorney General Pam Bondi – who led a crusade to block same-sex marriage – gave her “best wishes” to gay couples who have now married.