Gay marriage supporters have asked a
federal judge to force an Alabama probate judge to begin issuing
marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples.
U.S. District Judge Callie “Ginny”
Granade ruled Alabama's ban on gay marriage unconstitutional in two
cases, which took effect on Monday after the Supreme Court refused to
delay implementation as state officials pursue appeals.
Alabama Chief Justice Roy S. Moore on
Sunday ordered probate judges to defy the ruling. Most judges
decided to follow Moore's directions, including Mobile County Probate
Judge Don Davis.
Advocates returned to Granade, who is
based in Mobile, asking her to force Davis and his staff to comply
with her order. She scheduled a hearing for Thursday.
The number of counties issuing marriage
licenses to gay couples more than doubled on Tuesday. Among the
judges who reversed course was Judge Enslen of Elmore County, who
told The New York Times that the Supreme Court's 7-2 decision
not to stay Granade's ruling weighed heavily in his decision.
“We've got the highest federal court
siding with the District Court,” he said. “The ballgame's over.”