Gay rights supporters in Florida are wasting no time waiting for the Supreme Court's upcoming ruling regarding state bans on gay marriage. Today, Equality Florida and the national Freedom to Marry announced a new effort called "Get Engaged" to increase support among Floridians for marriage equality:
"As the entire country is awaiting the Supreme Court ruling, it's time for everyone who believes in equality and fairness to take a clear stand on the right side of history,' said Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida. 'Florida's changed dramatically since 2008, when just over 60 percent of voters embedded marriage discrimination into the constitution. In fact, Florida is a leader in the south, with 54 percent of voters in support of marriage for same-sex couples. Only 23 percent of Floridians now oppose gay couples having all the rights and benefits of marriage."
Smith says it is too early to determine whether they will attempt to repeal Amendment 2 at the polls in 2014. It will take 60 percent voter approval to overturn the ban which was passed during the 2008 election. The group plans on using celebrities, social media, T-shirts, bumper stickers and rallies to get its message out.