More Alabama counties start granting gay marriage licenses

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) – Faced with another ruling from a federal judge, more reluctant Alabama counties began issuing gay marriage licenses Friday.

A few counties began issuing licenses this week after a federal ruling struck down the state’s gay-marriage ban. But the issue has been clouded by a conflicting order from Alabama’s chief justice, confusion among probate judges who grant the licenses, and the refusal of some county offices to open for any couples at all.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Callie Granade directed the probate judge in Mobile County – one of the holdout counties – to begin issuing licenses to same-sex couples, signaling to counties statewide that they should follow suit.

On Friday, probate courts in at least three more counties reversed course and began issuing gay marriage licenses.

Thursday’s order applied directly only to Mobile County, but lawyers for couples hoping to wed across the state said they hope other probate judges get the message.

In Lee County, Probate Judge Bill English said his office began issuing licenses Friday morning. Of the federal judge’s order, “Although it doesn’t mandate to me, it makes it clear.”

As of Friday morning, Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore – an outspoken opponent of gay marriage – had not commented on Granade’s latest ruling.

Moore has argued that Granade’s Jan. 23 ruling striking down the gay-marriage ban was an illegal intrusion on Alabama’s sovereignty, and earlier this week he told probate judges they didn’t have to follow her order.