Justices Decline to Stop Gay Marriages in Florida

Florida may soon begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples since the U.S. Supreme Court refused to stop gay marriages in the state Friday.

U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle had previously declared Florida's voter-approved amendment excluding gay marriage unconstitutional.

Hinkle said same-sex marriage licenses could start being issued in the state after Jan. 5, 2015 unless the Supreme Court intervened.

Florida's attorney general, Pam Bondi, has fought to uphold the state's voter approved amendment since it was approved in 2008. However, she said she would not try to block the start of the marriages.

"Regardless of the ruling, it has always been our goal to have uniformity throughout Florida until the final resolution of the numerous challenges to the voter-approved constitutional amendment on marriage," Bondi said.

"We're getting a confusing message from the Supreme Court, so I certainly hope they will take up the issue and provide some clarity," John Stemberger, president of Florida Family Policy Council, which campaigned for the ban said according to Reuters.