Federal Judge Orders Alabama Judges To Issue Marriage Licenses To Same-Sex Couples, Period.

After Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore tried to derail same-sex marriage this week, a federal judge has stepped in to ensure the Supreme Court’s ruling is respected.

Despite Chief Justice Roy Moore‘s best efforts to sow confusion and fear into same-sex couples and probate judges, same-sex couples will be marrying in the state of Alabama. Federal Judge Callie Granade, who several times now has struck down that state’s ban on same-sex marriage, today has issued an order to Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange and all defendants mandating they issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

On Monday, Justice Moore announced that the Supreme Court’s ruling was not in effect, and said that probate judges could not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Hours later, he backed down, claimed he misspoke, and said they “may,” but were not legally obligated to do so, creating mass confusion and frustration – and opportunity for those who do not wish to support equality.

“It’s against my religion to marry homosexuals,” Geneva County Probate Judge Fred Hamic told NBC News, which adds that Hamic “said Alabama law says marriage licenses ‘may be issued’ by probate judges, and he has chosen to decline to do so.”

Today’s ruling certainly seems to fully override Moore’s directives.

Before the ruling, there were at least several judges and counties who refused to issue licenses. In fact, after today’s ruling, according to AL.com, “at least four counties are holding out. Probate offices in Elmore County, Tuscaloosa County, and Escambia County are not issuing the same-sex marriage licenses. And, the Randolph County probate office is not issuing any marriage licenses.”

At least two others, the National Center for Lesbian Rights reports, are also not issuing licenses.

Those refusing to issue licenses are citing Justice Moore’s false claim that the Supreme Court ruling is not in effect, despite his later statements.

 

EARLIER:

Chief Justice Roy Moore’s Top Lawyer Says ‘Public Officials Are Ministers Of God’

Watch: Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore Claims Supreme Court Same-Sex Marriage Ruling Not In Effect

UPDATE V: Alabama Supreme Court Halts All Same-Sex Marriages, Maybe

 

Photo: One of the first same-sex couples to marry in Alabama in February, before the ruling was placed on hold.
Image by Clare Huddleston via Twitter