Same-sex marriages could begin in Florida in early January after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit on Wednesday declined to extend a stay issued by a federal judge who struck down the state's ban on gay weddings.
The ruling would permit same-sex couples to tie the knot after the stay expires at the end of the day on Jan. 5, 2015.
State officials could appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to extend the stay.
After a series of recent court rulings, there are currently 35 states where gay marriage is legal.
