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Jeb Bush Says Fla. Gay Marriage Ruling Should Be Respected

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MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) — The former governor of Florida, Jeb Bush, said Monday that he respects a court ruling that allows same-sex couples to wed for the first time in the Sunshine State.

The potential Republican presidential contender and longtime opponent of gay marriage weighed in Monday as Miami-Dade County started issuing marriage licenses to lesbian and gay couples. A circuit court judge lifted a stay on her July ruling that Florida's same-sex marriage ban violates equal protections under the U.S. Constitution.

"We live in a democracy, and regardless of our disagreements, we have to respect the rule of law," Bush said in a statement.

Bush also called for respect for those on both sides of the issue, including committed gay couples and "those of us who believe marriage is a sacrament and want to safeguard religious liberty."

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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