This can’t be the first time these words have been connected in a sentence: Things are a mess in Alabama.
What do you get when a state’s chief justice (in this case Ray Moore, the same idiot who defied a federal court order to remove a monument to the 10 commandments from the state courthouse) orders state judges to disobey the ruling of a federal judge who has determined that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional? It’s not the set up to a joke. Alabama. You get Alabama.
And the situation is a bit confusing. Some counties are issuing marriage licenses to eager same-sex couples (see map, via New York Times), and some have closed up shop altogether, preventing both gay and straight couples from tying the knot.
In Autauga County, a woman named Anne Susan Diprizio was actually arrested after offering to perform a wedding ceremony for a lesbian couple who’d just received a license. Anne, who identified herself as a minister, now faces a charge of disorderly conduct following a dispute with Probate Judge Alfred Booth. Booth isn’t allowing same-sex marriages in his office despite the federal ruling.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Gov. Bentley, a Republican and a Southern Baptist, said “I don’t want Alabama to be seen as it was 50 years ago when a federal law was defied. I’m not going to do that. I’m trying to move this state forward.”
A federal judge has set a hearing that could determine if all counties must issue licenses.
Hopefully none of this will even matter soon. President Obama, speaking to Buzzfeed, predicted that:
“My sense is that the Supreme Court is about to make a shift, one that I welcome, which is to recognize that — having hit a critical mass of states that have recognized same-sex marriage — it doesn’t make sense for us to now have this patchwork system.”
h/t HuffPost
Ladbrook
Alabama State Motto: Where the 19th Century Never Ends.
Dakotahgeo
@Ladbrook: I’d really question whether they or the South ever left the 18th century! Just too many giggles and laughs coming out of those States’ antics!
Provine
Publicity hound. Maybe when she grows up Anne will have a cause of her very own. Until then, let’s not associate with her too closely.
GG
As long as any part of Alabama refuses to follow the law, their congressional representatives in DC should be nullified, and receiving any federal monies should be suspended.
jwtraveler
@Provine: Huh?
jwtraveler
Following the news the last few days, one would think that gay couples marrying in Alabama is the most important thing happening in the world. True, this Chief Justice Moore is a bigot and a disgrace, but this isn’t “Selma”.
polarisfashion
Meanwhile, judges are not prohibited from issuing marriages to first cousins in Alabama!
enfilmigult
@Provine: Interesting..why not? Sounds like you’re already familiar with who she is; if so don’t be bashful.
@jwtraveler: Oh come on.
scotshot
@jwtraveler: Interesting you took the time to read the article and comment on it.
damon459
More click bait, Anne Susan Diprizio was not arrested for trying to marry someone! She was arrested for refusing to leave the probate judge’s office! Making her out to be some kind of hero is worse then when we made a hero out of dan choi when he faked his hunger strike!
Billysees
@Dakotahgeo:
” Just too many giggles and laughs coming out of those States’ antics! ”
How true that is.