Couple Speaks Out About Gay Marriage Ruling
Will the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals lift or extend Alabama’s ban on same-sex marriage?
Many same-sex couples eager to get married are now in waiting until that ruling comes down within the next two weeks. All this, after a federal judge ruled last week that Alabama’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional.
There are still so many questions about what will happen with Alabama’s ban on gay marriage. It’s ultimately up to a judge now…but Alabama’s top politicians, including the governor, are criticizing and fighting the ruling that came down on Friday.
Shante Wolfe and Tori Sisson have been dating since 2013 and want to take the next step in their relationship, by getting married. Right now, a wedding in Alabama is off the table because they are of the same sex. But that could soon change if a judge lifts the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.
“Right now we’re just two people that like each other enough to live in the same space,” Sisson said.
After a federal judge deemed Alabama’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional last week, Attorney General Luther Strange filed an appeal, challenging the ruling. In return, the judge issued a two week stay.
“I wish the stay had been longer than two weeks,” he told reporters Monday. “We had requested a stay until the Supreme Court resolves the issue of same-sex marriage once and for all. That’s what we’re requesting in the court to do.”
Governor Robert Bentley says he opposes same-sex marriage and says he will support the 81 percent of people who voted in 2006 for the Sanctity of Marriage Act.
“The constitution of the state of Alabama says that marriage is defined between one man and one woman, so I as the chief magistrate of Alabama, I have to uphold the constitution of the state of Alabama.”
Bentley says if the ban on same-sex marriage is lifted, it could cause a spiral effect.
“The problem with all of this is, if you can’t define it, then there is a problem with all of the laws dealing with children, dealing with all types of things related to marriage.”
But Political Analyst Steve Flowers says Alabama politicians are fighting a losing battle.
“It’s a popular thing to say you’re against it,” he explains. “However, there is nothing they can do about it. The only one who has a half way say about it, is Luther Strange, the Attorney General and he’s doing what he can do to appeal it.”
For same-sex couples like Shante Wolfe and Tori Sisson, the ruling whether or not to lift the ban will be life changing.
“I guess we can almost speak for everybody when we say it’ll mean that for once in history, everybody’s love is classified as legitimate,” Wolfe said.
The appeal is being heard in the 11th circuit court of appeals in Atlanta. The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to take up the issue of same sex marriage this April. Of course, Any decision it makes would override any ruling by the state.
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