PinkFloyd
February 10th, 2015, 12:21 AM
Of all the things I was not expecting, this hit the top of my list. I can't even begin to think how Alabama of all places had this much of a progressive movement. I say good for them!
Alabama gay marriages allowed after Supreme Court order 01:36
Washington (CNN)Gay marriage is moving forward in the heart of the South on Monday after the Supreme Court denied a request from Alabama for a delay.
The Supreme Court's move makes Alabama the 37th state to allow gay marriage. It comes ahead of a decision expected later this year that could expand marriage rights to gay couples across the country.
"It's a great day in Alabama for everyone who cherishes freedom," said Richard Cohen, President of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
A district court judge struck down Alabama's gay marriage ban in January. The state hoped to block that ruling until the Supreme Court decides the larger marriage case.
In denying Alabama's request for a delay, the Supreme Court set up a clash with state judicial officials. Roy Moore, the controversial Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, warned probate judges in the state not to issue marriage licenses.
In the order, Moore said "effective immediately, no probate Judge of the State of Alabama" should issue or recognize a marriage license that is inconsistent with a State constitution. In the order, Moore says that the opinions of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama do "not bind the state courts of Alabama but only serve as persuasive authority."
In 2003, Moore was removed from the court by a state ethics panel after he refused to remove a monument to the Ten Commandments in the court building. Moore was re-elected in 2012. It was unclear if the probate judges will find themselves caught in the middle.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/09/politics/alabama-supreme-court-gay-marriage/
Alabama gay marriages allowed after Supreme Court order 01:36
Washington (CNN)Gay marriage is moving forward in the heart of the South on Monday after the Supreme Court denied a request from Alabama for a delay.
The Supreme Court's move makes Alabama the 37th state to allow gay marriage. It comes ahead of a decision expected later this year that could expand marriage rights to gay couples across the country.
"It's a great day in Alabama for everyone who cherishes freedom," said Richard Cohen, President of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
A district court judge struck down Alabama's gay marriage ban in January. The state hoped to block that ruling until the Supreme Court decides the larger marriage case.
In denying Alabama's request for a delay, the Supreme Court set up a clash with state judicial officials. Roy Moore, the controversial Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, warned probate judges in the state not to issue marriage licenses.
In the order, Moore said "effective immediately, no probate Judge of the State of Alabama" should issue or recognize a marriage license that is inconsistent with a State constitution. In the order, Moore says that the opinions of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama do "not bind the state courts of Alabama but only serve as persuasive authority."
In 2003, Moore was removed from the court by a state ethics panel after he refused to remove a monument to the Ten Commandments in the court building. Moore was re-elected in 2012. It was unclear if the probate judges will find themselves caught in the middle.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/09/politics/alabama-supreme-court-gay-marriage/