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World & Nation

For local Alabama judges, same-sex marriage battle means a lonely road

Judge Tim Russell felt pulled in two directions: He feared that he would run afoul of the Alabama Constitution if he issued licenses to gay couples. And he worried he'd break the U.S. Constitution if he didn't.

Judge Tim Russell felt pulled in two directions: He feared that he would run afoul of the Alabama Constitution if he issued licenses to gay couples. And he worried he’d break the U.S. Constitution if he didn’t.  (Matt Teague / Los Angeles Times)

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Probate judges in Alabama are in legal limbo until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on same-sex marriage.

Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore

Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore, who has led the legal fight against same-sex marriage in the state, is widely regarded as having his eye on political office.  (Brynn Anderson / Associated Press)

Unable to marry

Robert Povilat, left, and Milton Persinger after hearing that the Mobile County probate judge’s office wouldn’t issue same-sex marriage licenses last month.   (Sharon Steinmann / Associated Press)

A marriage ceremony

Kim Gebauer, left, and Regina Gebauer, of Daphne, Ala., get married in a Feb. 12 double ceremony with Peggy Belcher, second from right, and Louise Lynn, both of Mobile, at Government Plaza in Mobile. The state Supreme Court halted same-sex weddings in early March.  (Sharon Steinmann / Associated Press)

Married in Birmingham

Newly married couple David Roby, center, and Erik Obermiller, right, are cheered by supporters of gay marriage as they leave the Jefferson County Courthouse in Birmingham, Ala., last month. The state’s legal dispute over same-sex marriage will be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.  (Hal Yeager / AP)

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