May 12, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Alabama’s Supreme Court defies the United States Supreme Court on Gay Marriage….again

BY TROY MASTERS  |  Alabama’s notorious Supreme Court Chief Justice, Roy Moore, has crawled back from the grave of the same sex marriage debate and ordered the state’s probate judges to cease issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples, a late-game but defiant move against a Supreme Court of the United States’ ruling that legalized same-sex unions and enshrined it as a constitutional right.

Mobile County immediately stopped issuing marriage licenses altogether, a move clearly animated by antigay animus and which has become common practice in several Southeastern U.S. counties. Notices posted in Mobile said that the county was “not issuing marriage licenses to any applicants until further notice.”

Moore, a devoutly religious conservative Republican,  has been relentless in his attempts to prevent same-sex marriages in Alabama and has several times issued similar orders.  Prior to the June 2015 SCOTUS ruling a U.S. District Court had found the state’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court had declined state requests for a stay and ordered Alabama to issue licenses to same-sex couples.  Some probate courts began issuance but Moore ordered them to stop, maintaining his authority trumped federal court orders.  

He maintained this posture even after June’s definitive SCOTUS ruling declared that same-sex marriage is protected by the Fourteenth Amendment and requires states to issue licenses to people of the same sex and to recognize marriages performed in other states between two people of the same sex.

Moore now argues, in part, that probate judges should not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples until a case that is before his court on the matter has been resolved. He said this has prompted “confusion and uncertainty” among Alabama probate judges about how to apply the SCOTUS ruling on same-sex marriages.

He describes Alabama as a state struggling with how to interpret the law: “Many probate judges are issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in accordance with Obergefell; others are issuing marriage licenses only to couples of the opposite gender or have ceased issuing all marriage licenses. This disparity affects the administration of justice in this state.”

Albert Holloway Ingram and Keith.
Albert Holloway Ingram and Keith.

The order has provoked a range of reaction.  Some called for Judge Moore’s retirement while many just rolled their eyes.

“Moore is violating his oath to respect and comply with the law. This is Judicial Activism at it’s worst,” said Keith Ingram, Community Organizer for Equality Wiregrass, an LGBT advocacy group in Southeastern Alabama.  Equality Wiregrass and other organizations throughout the state have called for action.

Alabama’s Attorney General, Luther Strange, who opposes same-sex marriage, has acknowledged that without a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages the ruling by the United States Supreme Court’s decision stands.

 

Related Posts

Cheviot Hills Kidnapping: Armed Intruders Seize Resident, Dump Victim 20 Miles Away

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

LAPD Seeks Suspects in Armed Home Invasion and Kidnapping Cheviot Hills was the scene of a kidnapping that unfolded in...

WeHo City Government Celebrates Building Safety Month with Open House Event

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

Learn Why Building Codes Matter and How They Keep You Safe  West Hollywood will mark Building Safety Month this May...

“Yes, Chef!” Pits Tempers Against Talent in José Andrés and Martha Stewart’s New Culinary Series

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

Twelve Rebellious Chefs Compete for $250,000 in a Transformative Cooking Competition Celebrity chefs José Andrés and Martha Stewart are teaming...

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck Slash Price on Beverly Hills Megamansion

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

Celebrity Couple’s Former Estate Hits the Market Again at $59.95 Million Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have lowered the price...

Brentwood Luxury Home Market Booms as Petra Ecclestone Lists $41.95M Estate

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025

Formula One Heiress’ Home Hits the Market After Fires Impact Local Community Petra Ecclestone and Sam Palmer have listed their...

Dump Truck Plows Into Historic Music Club, Disrupts Sunset Boulevard Commute

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

Traffic Snarled and Power Out After a Truck Crash on the Sunset Strip Traffic came to a standstill on Sunset...

Laughter Heals: Sober & Standing (Up!) Returns to El Rey Theatre for Mental Health Month

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

Comedians in Recovery Take the Stage to Raise Funds for Phoenix House California Laughter will once again echo through the...

Lil Nas X Pulls Out of OUTLOUD at WeHo Pride Due to Health Concerns

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Rising Star Steps in to Headline as Lil Nas X Recovers Lil Nas X has canceled his headlining performance at...

Santa Monica’s Own Takes Home Top Beer Honors with a World-Class Brew

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Basil, Citrus, and Craftsmanship: See Which Local Brewery Just Won Big Santa Monica Brew Works (SMBW) just took home a...

World Premiere of ‘The Enemy of Oz’ Spotlights Blind Performers and Powerful Themes

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

ArtsUP! LA Debuts Visually Impaired Cast in Powerful Oz-Inspired Performance In a dynamic reimagining of L. Frank Baum’s iconic universe,...

LAPD and BHPD Alert Public to Rise in Distraction Thefts Targeting Elderly Across Los Angeles

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Suspects Using Sleight-of-Hand and Fake Jewelry to Rob Unsuspecting Seniors Los Angeles and Beverly Hills Police Departments are sounding the...

DA Files Felony Stalking Charges After Bel-Air Gate Crash at Jennifer Aniston’s Home

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Judge Orders Mental Evaluation for Man Who Drove Into the Actress’ Property Criminal charges have been filed against a Mississippi...

Shore Hotel: Your Destination for Local Events, Celebrations

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Cinco de Mayo, Pride Month and More Parties This Summer Shore Hotel, a luxury hotel nestled in the heart of...

(Video) Petitgrain Boulangerie’s Party For Its One Year Anniversary

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

We got the gifts with a DJ, free cookies, croissants and affogatos. Congratulations to the co-owners Clémence de Lutz and...

(Video) Socalo’s Cinco de Mayo Celebration

May 8, 2025

May 8, 2025

Co-Owner Susan Feniger Offers Diners Chapulines While Co-Owner Mary Sue Milliken works behind the scenes. Chef Makes Tlayudas on the...