Same-Sex Marriages Begin In Alabama On Monday
Barring a last-minute stay from the U.S. Supreme Court, on Monday Alabama becomes the 37th state to recognize same-sex marriage. Despite some heated political debate, most probate courts around the state are getting ready to issue marriage licenses to gay couples.
Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to extend the stay since justices will consider the issue of gay marriage later this year. As of this writing, the court had not responded to the state’s request.
Jefferson County Probate Judge Alan King says his court is looking forward to issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples and presiding over their ceremonies. And they’re preparing for a large influx of couples.
“We will have two lines open, and we are fully prepared to open a third to ensure that every couple who wants a marriage license will get one,” King says. “We will have several rooms available here for couples to have their ceremonies in, but we are expecting a large crowd, so couples will have to be patient.”
Judge King also says that the court is willing to get a bit creative. “Now maybe it’ll be a pretty day, and maybe folks will want to have ceremonies, if there is a large crowd, out in the park.” Same-sex marriage supporters are planning celebrations outside courthouses throughout Alabama.
While most probate courts in the state will issue licenses to same-sex couples, a few others will not. The probate judges of Pike County and Covington County have stated that they refuse to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, and a few judges from counties such as Madison, Marengo, and Chilton have said that they will issue licenses to same-sex couples, but, in protest, will no longer preside over any marriages.
How George Wallace and Bull Connor set the stage for Alabama’s sky-high electric rates
After his notorious stand in the schoolhouse door, Wallace needed a new target. He found it in Alabama Power.
FIFA president defends World Cup ticket prices, saying demand is hitting records
The FIFA President addressed outrage over ticket prices for the World Cup by pointing to record demand and reiterating that most of the proceeds will help support soccer around the world.
From chess to a medical mystery: Great global reads from 2025 you may have missed
We published hundreds of stories on global health and development each year. Some are ... alas ... a bit underappreciated by readers. We've asked our staff for their favorite overlooked posts of 2025.
The U.S. offers Ukraine a 15-year security guarantee for now, Zelenskyy says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday the United States is offering his country security guarantees for a period of 15 years as part of a proposed peace plan.
Electric vehicles had a bumpy road in 2025 — and one pleasant surprise
A suite of pro-EV federal policies have been reversed. Well-known vehicles have been discontinued. Sales plummeted. But interest is holding steady.
A ‘very aesthetic person,’ President Trump says being a builder is his second job
President Trump was a builder before he took office, but he has continued it as a hobby in the White House.
