U.S. District Judge Callie Granade Just Ruled That Alabama Probate Judges May Not Deny Marriage Licenses To Gay Couples

The federal judge ordered county officials in Alabama to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples Thursday, saying they can no longer ignore her earlier ruling that struck down the state's marriage equality ban.

In the decision, Judge Callie V. S. Granade of Federal District Court, ruled that the probate judge in Mobile County, Don Davis, must issue licenses to gay couples seeking to wed.

“Judge Davis may not deny them a license on the ground that Plaintiffs constitute same-sex couples or because it is prohibited by the sanctity of marriage,” the decision said.