A federal judge has stayed a ruling that would have allowed same-sex couples to marry in Alabama. How long will this hold up last?
U.S. District judge Callie V.S. Granade, who on Friday struck down Alabama’s ban on same-sex marriage and issued a strong rebuke to the State’s Attorney General, Sunday evening placed a stay on her ruling. On Friday, Granade’s ruling did not include any timelines, allowing same-sex couples to marry immediately upon being granted a license. No county clerk offices were open over the weekend.
Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange requested the stay. Judge Granade’s order allowing the stay notes several points against AG Strange.
“The Attorney General Has Not Shown that He Is Likely to Succeed on Appeal,” “The Attorney General Has Not Shown that He Will Suffer Irreparable Harm,” “Granting a Stay Will Irreparably Harm the Plaintiffs and Other Same-Sex Couples,” and “The Public Interest Will be Harmed by a Stay,” yet the stay has been granted for two weeks.
“If no action is taken by the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals to extend or lift the stay within that time period,” Judge Granade’s ruling reads, “this court’s stay will be lifted on February 9, 2105 [sic],”
While the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals may intervene, neither it nor the U.S. Supreme Court did in the recent Florida case, so it’s unlikely they will extend this stay for any length of time beyond reviewing motions and reaching a decision, if they do at at all.
Cari Searcy and Kim McKeand are two of the plaintiffs in the Alabama case. Freedom to Marry notes they have set up a legal fund which is accepting donations.
Â
Image via Facebook