By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
In a controversial 5 to 4 ruling, the United States redefined marriage for all fifty states to mean two people of whatever gender. Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (R) on Friday released a statement on the same- sex marriage ruling by the US 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.”
The Chairman of the House Black Caucus, state Representative John Knight (D-Montgomery) responded to the United States Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage:
“The US Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage is an important victory. This landmark decision preserves citizens’ constitutional rights and our equal protection under the law — a win for all Americans. It is also a fitting and well earned tribute to those who have fought so long and hard for fair treatment. The Black Caucus has a long-standing history of fighting against frivolous and oppressive legislation that threatens the rights of same-sex couples and promotes discrimination. I am hopeful that with today’s decision, our Legislature will move away from this practice and move toward a commitment to stand together to protect civil rights in Alabama rather than enact legislation that destroys them.”
State Representative Will Ainsworth (R-Guntersville) said, “From its shameful Obamacare rulings to today’s anti-Christian gay marriage decision, this Supreme Court has proven to be the most liberal in decades. God has told us that marriage exists only between a man and a woman, and His ruling supersedes any ruling by nine appointed judges. As a legislator, I will do everything in my power to ensure that the constitutional religious freedoms of those who oppose gay marriage for biblical reasons are protected and secured.”
State Representative Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City) said, “Regardless of your opinion on same sex marriage the 10th Amendment died today and the 1st Amendment was greatly endangered. I will always be for states rights!”
Don’t expect to get any kind of a marriage license at the Pike County Probate Judge’s office. There Judge Wes Allen said, “I am saddened that the United States Supreme Court ruled as they did but this ruling does not invalidate Alabama Code Section 30-1-9, which states ‘Marriage licenses may be issued by the judges of probate of the several counties.’”
Judge Allen continued, “The word ‘may’ provides probate judges with the option of whether or not to engage in the practice of issuing marriage licenses and I have chosen not to perform that function. My office discontinued issuing marriage licenses in February and I have no plans to put Pike County back into the marriage business. The policy of my office regarding marriage is no different today than it was yesterday.”
Interestingly a couple of years ago this same Supreme Court overturned the Clinton Administration’s Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) on the grounds that setting rules for marriage was a state; not a federal area of jurisdiction, thus a federal law passed by Congress could not prevent a state from implementing same sex marriage. On Friday the Court said that marriage is a fundamental right and that states did not have the authority to restrict marriage rights.
