Alabama Becomes 37th State To Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

by Charles Barr

[dropcap size=small]O[/dropcap]n Monday, Alabama’s Supreme Court allowed same-sex marriages to proceed in the state. It comes merely months before the United States Supreme Court was to rule on same-sex marriages, which raises questions about the ruling in Alabama.

Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas urged Alabama to postpone their decision until the United States Supreme Court heard the same-sex marriage case in April and ruled on it in June. But Alabama proceeded with the decision.

“A majority of the Supreme Court has cast disrepute on the impartiality of the Court by refusing to follow previous protocol and issue a stay of a lower court ruling while it is being considered by the Court,” Brian Brown, who presides over an organization that opposes same-sex marriages said.

Despite this, the United States Supreme Court refused to block Alabama’s decision. On Monday, marriages were held throughout the state.

Judge Alan L. King of Jefferson County explained, “This is a happy day for all of these couples, and if you can’t be happy for people, then I’m sorry. If someone can’t understand the joy and happiness of others, then I don’t know what else I can say.”

For most Libertarians, the involvement of the state in marriage is imposing unnecessary government control. While The United States has made significant progress in recognizing gay marriage, a 2012 article in the New York Times questioned the libertarian position on whether or not marriages could ever be non-governmental. “Those advocating for privatizing and deregulating marriage are operating with too narrow a vision of the state’s (and society’s) interest in recognizing families.”

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