Majority Of Alabama Counties Now Issuing Marriage Licenses To Same-Sex Couples

WASHINGTON — At least 43 of Alabama’s 67 counties are now issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, following a federal judge’s order Thursday reiterating that marriage equality is legal in the state.

Same-sex marriage officially became legal in Alabama Monday, a result of U.S. District Judge Callie Granade’s ruling on the matter in January. But many counties in this conservative state initially refused to comply. They were following orders from Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore (R), who told the county probate judges that the federal decision did not apply to them.

On Thursday, Granade attempted to provide some clarity. In an order directed at Probate Judge Don Davis of Mobile County, Granade said there were no more excuses for denying same-sex couples marriage licenses. Shortly thereafter, the county began complying.

Counties issuing no marriage licenses: Bibb, Choctaw, Clarke, Coosa, Cullman, Geneva, Houston, Pike, Randolph, Tallapoosa, Walker.

Counties that will start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples next week: Hale, Marion, Pickens.

Julia Craven, Jesse Rifkin and Maxwell Tani contributed reporting.

The Huffington Post