Following Friday morning's historic ruling by the Supreme Court that legalized gay marriage nationwide, one Alabama judge redoubled his efforts to bar same-sex couples from legal matrimony, The New York Times reports.
Probate Judge Wes Allen of Pike County closed his county's marriage business back in February, when Alabama lifted its state ban on same-sex unions. He cited the state law, which holds that "licenses may be issued by the judges of probate of the several counties," and asserted the word "may" implies he can choose to not offer licenses at all — to gay or straight couples.
"I have no plans to put Pike County back into the marriage business," Allen wrote in a statement after SCOTUS announced its decision. "The policy of my office regarding marriage is no different today than it was yesterday."
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Alabama's Geneva County reportedly plans to follow suit, while several other Alabama probate judges said they will continue to issue marriage licenses, but no longer perform wedding ceremonies.
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