Although a federal judge struck down Alabama’s same sex marriage ban on Friday, the the judges responsible for issuing marriage licenses will not begin giving them to gay couples.
According to the Alabama Probate Judges Association, the ruling only applies to the plaintiffs in the case.
“Many media outlets are reporting that the ruling, issued Friday by U.S. District Judge Ginny Granade, will allow same sex couples to receive marriage licenses in Alabama beginning Monday morning. The Alabama Probate Judges Association wants to ensure that all Alabamians are clear that Friday’s ruling does not open the door for the issuance of same sex marriage licenses,” the group said in a statement Saturday night, according to the Alabama Media Group.
Al Agricola, attorney for the group, said that the ruling does not require probate judges to issue licenses to all gay couples.
“The legal effect of this decision is to allow one person in one same sex marriage that was performed in another state to adopt their partner’s child. There is nothing in the judge’s order that requires probate judges in Alabama to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples,” Agricola said in a Saturday press release.
