A federal judge has declared Florida's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, joining state judges in four counties who have sided with gay couples wishing to tie the knot.U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle in Tallahassee ruled Thursday that the ban added to Florida's constitution by voters in 2008 violates the 14th Amendment's guarantees of equal protection and due process."The institution of marriage survived when bans on interracial marriage were struck down, and the institution will survive when bans on same-sex marriage are struck down," Hinkle wrote.Hinkle issued a stay delaying the effect of his order, meaning no marriage licenses will be immediately issued for gay couples."I was thrilled to read about it. We've been waiting for that decision to come down. And this one is quite distinct," said Mary Meeks, a Florida attorney representing same-sex couples. "Legally it has not been a political issue at all. Liberal judges, conservative judges all have made the same rulings and that does give me a lot of hope."Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has appealed the previous rulings striking down the ban in Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach counties.Top video: Volcano threatens UCF vs. Penn State football game in IrelandHinkle's ruling allows time for appeals in the federal case."To suggest that there's a fundamental right to same sex-marriage that's just making play-dough out of the Constitution. It doesn't exist. And so these judges are acting like social change agents," said John Stemberger, of the Florida Family Policy Council. "They're acting like legislators instead of interpreting law."A number of similar rulings around the country have been put on hold while appeals are pursued.Images: Key moments in LGBT history

A federal judge has declared Florida's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, joining state judges in four counties who have sided with gay couples wishing to tie the knot.

U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle in Tallahassee ruled Thursday that the ban added to Florida's constitution by voters in 2008 violates the 14th Amendment's guarantees of equal protection and due process.

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"The institution of marriage survived when bans on interracial marriage were struck down, and the institution will survive when bans on same-sex marriage are struck down," Hinkle wrote.

Hinkle issued a stay delaying the effect of his order, meaning no marriage licenses will be immediately issued for gay couples.

"I was thrilled to read about it. We've been waiting for that decision to come down. And this one is quite distinct," said Mary Meeks, a Florida attorney representing same-sex couples. "Legally it has not been a political issue at all. Liberal judges, conservative judges all have made the same rulings and that does give me a lot of hope."

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has appealed the previous rulings striking down the ban in Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach counties.

Top video: Volcano threatens UCF vs. Penn State football game in Ireland

Hinkle's ruling allows time for appeals in the federal case.

"To suggest that there's a fundamental right to same sex-marriage that's just making play-dough out of the Constitution. It doesn't exist. And so these judges are acting like social change agents," said John Stemberger, of the Florida Family Policy Council. "They're acting like legislators instead of interpreting law."

A number of similar rulings around the country have been put on hold while appeals are pursued.

Images: Key moments in LGBT history