MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Supreme Court is asking parties to weigh in on the impact of the landmark ruling giving gay and lesbian couples the right to marry nationwide.
State justices on Monday directed parties to file motions by July 6 on how the decision impacts the state court’s March order for probate judges to refuse marriage licenses to gay couples.
The Monday order did not give directions to probate judges.
Susan Watson, the head of the ACLU of Alabama, calls the order a stalling tactic from same-sex marriage opponents. She says probate judges could face sanctions if they refuse the licenses.
Chief Justice Roy Moore says the order does not instruct probate judges whether or not they should comply with the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage.