Alabama attorney general asks federal judge to delay gay marriage ruling

Shanté Wolfe, left, and Tori Sisson, right, wait for their marriage license to be processed before becoming the first couple to file their marriage license in Montgomery, Ala., in this Feb. 9, 2015, file photo. Shanté Wolfe, left, and Tori Sisson, right, wait for their marriage license to be processed before becoming the first couple to file their marriage license in Montgomery, Ala., in this Feb. 9, 2015, file photo.

By Associated Press March 10, 2015 1 min read

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange is asking a federal judge to keep gay marriage in the state on hold.

Strange, in a motion filed Monday, asked U.S. District Judge Callie Granade to delay any more gay marriage decisions until the U.S. Supreme Court rules later this year.

Granade on Jan. 23 ruled Alabama’s gay marriage ban unconstitutional, beginning a twisting legal saga. Gay couples began marrying in most counties. However, the Alabama Supreme Court last week directed probate judges to stop giving licenses to same-sex couples. Gay rights organizations on Friday asked Granade to order the judges to resume.

Strange said that would only cause additional chaos and increase tension between the courts.

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments next month on whether gays and lesbians can marry nationwide.