A Florida judge struck down the state's same-sex marriage ban.

The ruling, issued Friday, applies to Miami-Dade County, the Associated Press reports. Circuit Judge Sarah Zabel issued the ruling, which states that "preventing couples from marrying solely on the basis of their sexual orientation serves no governmental interest." Zabel continues,

It serves only to hurt, to discriminate, to deprive same-sex couples and their families of equal dignity, to label and treat them as second-class citizens, and to deem them unworthy of participation in one of the fundamental institutions of our society.

The ruling ultimately concludes that same-sex marriage ban violates the due process and equal protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution.

Near the end of the ruling, Zabel narrates a history of discrimination in the U.S., from the revolutionary war, through events like the end of slavery and the discriminatory laws of the 20th Century. "Notably absent from this protracted march towards social justice," she continues, "was any progress for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community until quite recently."

The recognition that the right to marry encompasses categories of people not traditionally considered to be accorded that right has been slow in coming, but it has become increasingly obvious that it is not constitutionally permissible to deny same-sex couples the right to marry.

The case was brought to the court by six Florida couples, as well as a civil rights organization. The cities of Miami Beach and Orlando also participated, arguing against the state's ban on same-sex marriages.