US: Most Alabama counties now marrying same-sex couples
A majority of counties in Alabama are now issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, despite some remaining holdouts.
However, to begin with only a few counties had agreed to marry same-sex couples, with Roy Moore, the Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, ordering probate judges to disobey the ruling and continue to ban gays from marrying.
Nearly a week after the initial ruling, the overwhelming majority have relented, with equal marriage now performed in 50 of the state’s 67 counties, up from 22 on Tuesday.
The 50 counties that are obeying the ruling account for over 80% of the state’s population.
A statement from Freedom to Marry said: “We’re ecstatic that the freedom to marry is law in Alabama, where 50 probate judges are issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
“Seven probate judges are issuing licenses to no couples, same- or different-sex.
“Six probate judges are issuing licenses to different-sex couples, but not to same-sex couples. Four probate judges were unreachable at this time.
“We expect that in the coming days, all 67 judges will begin following the law.”
Fred Sainz of Human Rights Campaign said: “We’ve seen a tremendous amount of progress since Monday and we’re confident that we’ll see more early next week.
“These numbers represent a seismic shift in favour of equality and justice. Resistance to happy, loving and committed same-sex couples getting married is quickly crumbling throughout the state.”
A full list of counties that are performing same-sex weddings is available via Freedom to Marry.
Watch a clip celebrating equal marriage in the state below:
