U.S. Rep. David Jolly said Monday he supports the recent decision striking down a Florida gay marriage ban.

A Republican, Jolly said that while he believes in traditional marriage because of his Christian faith, he also thinks government should support gay marriage.

In an interview with partner newspaper the Tampa Bay Times, Jolly (R-Indian Shores) described himself as "a 41-year-old less-government conservative," and said same-sex marriage is "an issue of less government and personal liberty."

During a Tampa Bay Times/Bay News 9 televised campaign debate earlier this year, Jolly was asked about the issue and said, "I believe God saw Adam was lonely and he made Eve." But in a later interview he also said he saw no problem with a ballot initiative to remove the state's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

Jolly also was quoted as saying he thought it was appropriate for the state to recognize both traditional and gay marriage.

Judge asked to lift Florida Keys gay marriage stay

The attorney for a gay couple is asking a Florida Keys judge to lift a stay in his ruling that Florida's ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional.

The motion was filed Monday morning with Monroe County Circuit Judge Luis Garcia. The judge ruled last week that the ban on same-sex marriage added to the state constitution by Florida voters in 2008 is discriminatory and violates gay people's right to equal treatment under the law.

Garcia ruled marriage licenses could be issued in Monroe County beginning Tuesday. That was blocked by an automatic stay triggered when Republican Attorney General Pam Bondi filed notice of the state's appeal.

It wasn't immediately clear when Garcia might rule.

Lawsuits challenging Florida's gay marriage ban are also pending in Miami-Dade County and Tallahassee federal court.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.