Tampa, Orlando couples challenge state ban on gay marriage

Monday, July 12, 2004

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(Tampa-AP) -- Three gay couples in Tampa and Orlando are suing today to overturn Florida's ban on same-sex marriages.

Sue Clayton and Sheila Serrao of Sarasota are represented by Miami attorney Ellis Rubin. They filed the lawsuit against Hillsborough Clerk of Court Richard Ake. Rubin has represented other homosexual couples in similar lawsuits in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Later in the day, two gay couples in Orlando -- James Merritt and Albert Leach Junior, and Alvie Beckham and Mack Wright -- filed a similar lawsuit against Orange County Clerk of Courts Lydia Gardner.

The suits come as the U-S Senate is debating an amendment that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman. President Bush used his radio address last weekend to urge the amendment's support.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All right reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

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