Federal Judge to Hear Arguments Thursday on Alabama Same-Sex Marriages

[DonViejo]

Source: New York Times

MOBILE, Ala., — A federal judge will hear arguments Thursday on whether to order local officials here to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, as some Alabama counties granted the licenses for a second day, but most continued to refuse.

Late Monday, gay rights advocates asked Judge Callie V.S. Granade of Federal District Court in Mobile to direct the probate judge here, Don Davis, to issue the licenses. The state’s second-most populous county, Mobile was by far the largest where officials refused to issue licenses to anyone on Monday.

The state attorney general, Luther Strange, filed a response Tuesday morning, opposing the request.

The county Probate Court judges who issue the licenses have been caught in an unusual power struggle between state and federal jurists, sowing confusion as to how to proceed — confusion that now appears set to persist at least until Thursday’s hearing. Lawyers who challenged the state’s ban, and many legal scholars, argue that the law is clear that a federal court order trumps the direction of Chief Justice Moore.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/11/us/alabama-gay-marriage-advocates-renew-legal-push-for-licenses.html?_r=0

[longship]

1. This is a pretty damned clear case.

Of course, Southern states don't like the XIV Amendment.

Too bad for them. Judge Moore will find out, too.

[Kelvin Mace]

2. I don't understand the delay

The SCOTUS refused to stay the ruling, so the lower court ruling stands. Issue the licenses or be sanctioned.

[GGJohn]

3. I fully agree, but what sanctions could be imposed for not complying? eom.

[Glitterati]

4. Easy! Cut off federal funds

Let Alabama get by without a penny of federal funds for refusing to follow the law.

Alabamans will tell Judge Roy Moore to take a hike. For the second time.

[GGJohn]

5. I like it, but we both know that it will never happen.

Pols. are so spineless, except for a few, that this would never come to fruition.