U.S. Supreme Court: Gay Couples Have the Right to Marry
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court has declared that same-sex couples have a right to marry anywhere in the United States.
Gay and lesbian couples already can marry in 36 states and the District of Columbia. The court’s ruling on Friday means the remaining 14 states, in the South and Midwest, will have to stop enforcing their bans on same-sex marriage. President Barack Obama took to Twitter to praise the Supreme Court’s gay marriage decision as “a big step in our march toward equality.” Probate judges around the River Region are standing by to same-sex couples wanting to marry. However, Pike county probate judge Wes Allen says he’s not getting back into the marriage business. Governor Robert Bentley on Friday released a statement on the same- sex marriage ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. “I have always believed in the Biblical definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman. That definition has been deeply rooted in our society for thousands of years. Regardless of today‘s ruling by the Supreme Court, I still believe in a one man and one woman definition of marriage. The people of Alabama also voted to define marriage as between a man and woman. I always respect the people‘s vote, and I am disappointed that the Supreme Court has disregarded the choice made by the people of Alabama in its decision today.” Stay with Alabama News Network for the latest on local reaction from the Supreme Court ruling.
