TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The attorney general of Florida says in court documents that recognizing same sex marriages performed in other states would "impose significant public harm."<br />
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Eight gay couples and the American Civil Liberties Union have sued the state in federal court. The lawsuit argues Florida is discriminating against the couples by not recognizing same-sex marriages performed in states where they are legal.<br />
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Attorney General Pam Bondi has filed a response that asks a federal judge to throw out the lawsuit.<br />
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Bondi's office says the state has a legitimate interest in defining a marriage as between a man and woman because Florida's voters adopted an amendment in 2008 that banned same-sex marriages.<br />
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The filing also says same-sex marriage recognition would create significant problems for the state's pension and health insurance programs.
