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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Alabama judges have been caught today between conflicting state and federal rulings. The state's highest court has told them to uphold the state ban on gay marriage, pending a final ruling by the Supreme Court. But a series of federal court rulings say otherwise.
Officials in Mobile County today said they wouldn't issue marriage licenses to anyone, for now. And a judge in Montgomery says he has to follow the order from the state's highest court -- whether or not he agrees with it.
In fact, gay rights advocates say they can't find a single county still granting licenses to same-sex couples.
Before yesterday's ruling, 48 of the state's 67 counties were acknowledging that Alabama had become the 37th U.S. state where gays can legally wed.
Supporters of same-sex marriages say there will probably be an appeal -- up to the Supreme Court, if necessary -- to block the latest state supreme court ruling.
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075-c-13-(Jay Reeves, AP correspondent)-"wanted to happen"-AP correspondent Jay Reeves reports two conservative groups that filed the motion upon which the Alabama Supreme Court ruled, are pleased with the order. (4 Mar 2015)
<<CUT *075 (03/04/15)££ 00:13 "wanted to happen"
074-c-18-(Jay Reeves, AP correspondent)-"being 'purported licenses'''-AP correspondent Jay Reeves reports the Alabama Supreme Court's order does not for now affect gay marriages that have already taken place in the state. (4 Mar 2015)
<<CUT *074 (03/04/15)££ 00:18 "being 'purported licenses'"
APPHOTO ALBA103: The Birmingham Probate Court sign shows a ribbon welcoming couples to get a marriage license, Wednesday, March 4, 2015, in Birmingham, Ala. Alabama's stand against same-sex marriage regained ground Wednesday after the state's highest court ruled that its ban remains legal, despite federal court pressure to begin issuing licenses to gays and lesbians. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) (4 Mar 2015)
<<APPHOTO ALBA103 (03/04/15)££
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