Following a federal court decision announced Wednesday, Florida same-sex couples can marry by early January — but some partners are hesitant to plan their ceremonies.
Though the decision was seen as a victory in the LGBT community, no same-sex couples have reserved a spot to tie the knot at United Church of Gainesville, said senior minister Shelly Wilson. She said the church is accepting ceremony reservations for anytime after Jan. 5.
“We plan to be there on the courtyard stairs and plan to offer our services,” Wilson said.
Same-sex couples have not reserved ceremonies at the Baughman Center or the Alachua County Courthouse either, but both locations said they are accepting reservations for dates after Jan. 5 as well.
Gaby Larios, external vice president of the UF Pride Student Union, said most couples are apprehensive about making wedding plans because rulings have been delayed in the past.
The 19-year-old women’s studies sophomore said she hopes the ruling is passed, but issues like bullying, suicide and transgender health care are still prevalent matters in the LGBT community.
“A lot of people are not as excited about this ruling as they should be because it’s gonna make it seem like it’ll be the end of the LGBT movement,” she said.
[A version of this story ran on page 4 on 12/7/2014]
