Scenes of Same-Sex Marriage, and Rejection, Across Alabama

from nytimes


Alabama's chief justice, Roy S. Moore, has ordered local probate judges to ignore a federal court’s ruling that would have allowed the state to start issuing marriage licenses Monday. The last-second order, arriving late Sunday night, has added chaos, and reignited a states’ rights debate similar to the one that arose during federally ordered integration. New York Times reporters have fanned out across the state, and here is how the events are playing out in a handful of locations.

1. 

   The Rev. Charles Perry of Unity Church, in Birmingham, Ala., married Curtis Stephens, center, and his partner of 30 years, Pat Helms, at the Jefferson County Courthouse, in Birmingham, Ala., on Monday. CreditHal Yeager/Associated Press

   BIRMINGHAM, ALA.
   Marriages, and Division
   Couples Rejoice as Marriage Licenses Are Issued
   Same-sex couples gathered outside the courthouse here in Alabama's largest city — even before the doors opened. "I want to thank everyone for finally giving us the chance to live our life like everybody else," said Joe Babin, 38, who was preparing to marry Clay Jones after the courthouse opened.

   But as Mr. Babin and others spoke in front of the courthouse, a protester shouted, "It's an abomination!"

   Nearby, a man who supports same-sex nuptials replied, "God bless you."

   At least initially, Alabama's cultural and religious divisions on gay marriage, apparent for months in the lead-up to the last-second order from Chief Justice Moore on Sunday, seemed ever-present, and more intense. But then, a little after 9:30 a.m., Judge Alan King of Probate Court issued a license to two women, allowing them to marry just a few minutes after the United States Supreme Court denied the Alabama attorney general’s request to extend a hold on marriages.

   Others followed, and the rejoicing commenced. "I'm fixing to go get me a steak," said one newly married woman. — Alan Blinder

2. Photo

   

   Rose Roysden and Beth Ridley filled out their marriage license application at the Lauderdale County Courthouse in Florence, Ala., on Monday. The local probate judge declined their request. CreditAndrea Morales for The New York Times

   FLORENCE, ALA.
   'I'm Caught Up in the Middle of This'
   Judge Tells Couples to Wait
   Four couples arrived before 8 a.m. at the two-story white courthouse here in northern Alabama, hoping that Monday would be the day that their union would be officially recognized.

   A minister from Tupelo, Miss., with the Universal Life Church, which offers online ordainment, offered red paper lilies to each, in preparation for the celebration. But just a few minutes after the first couple arrived at the desk of the probate court, Judge James Paul emerged from his office, to explain his position.

   "I'm caught up in the middle of this," he said.

   Beth Ridley and Rose Roysden were holding hands and listening. They were the first to apply for the marriage licenses. Wearing matching flip-flops, they had cash in hand, ready to pay for their marriage license. But it was not to be, not Monday: Judge Paul, questioned the legality of issuing licenses to same-sex couples, and told them they would have to wait.

   Ms. Ridley and Ms. Roysden looked incredibly sad. Their eyes filled with tears.

   "I don't think he had any intention of issuing certificates today," Ms. Ridley said.

   And so they decided to leave. They said they were going to Birmingham, where they had heard licenses were being issued. They would marry there, they said, and then return home to this town, along a river, home to the University of Northern Alabama and Heritage Christian University; and soon, they hoped, the celebration of a new gay marriage. — Jennifer Crossley

3. Photo

   

   The scene at the courthouse in Troy, Ala. CreditKalyn Wolfe for The New York Times

   TROY, ALA.
   No Marriage Licenses, No Name Changes Either
   Probate Judge Sides with Chief Justice
   It was a quiet scene at the Pike County Courthouse just before 8 Monday morning. The halls here in the small town of Troy, about 50 miles south of Montgomery, were deserted and the offices empty. Inside, near a sign saying, "My staff and I are honored to serve the residents of Pike County," there was another, set out on plain white paper that said "Marriage Licenses are not being issued at this time at the Pike County Probate office."

   "We're not expecting any problems right now," Probate Judge Wes Allen said. "We don't have any appointments, and we have a sign up saying that we aren't issuing any licenses at this time."

   Couples seeking marriage licenses seem to have not even bothered to come, heading perhaps to Montgomery. However, just after 8:30 a.m., three lesbian couples who had already obtained marriage licenses in New York and Washington arrived, and were denied approval for name changes.

   Stephanie Johnson and Valerie LaBonte of Troy, Ala., were married in October in New York. They were surprised to discover that name changes also aren't being recognized by the judge.

   "He said he was following orders from Roy Moore and that he couldn't recognize any name changes," Ms. Johnson said. "I said, 'You do realize that other people can get married in other counties, but I have to come to the county I reside in in order to change my name.' And he said, 'I don't know.' "

   Ms. Johnson and Ms. LaBonte each have children from previous relationships. Because of the paramour clause with custody issues, the name change was particularly important.

   "I'm furious," Ms. Johnson said. "My boys don't even know we're a couple. We will be calling the ACLU as soon as we can." — Kalyn Wolfe

4. Photo

   

   Shanté Wolfe, left, and Tori Sisson, wait for their marriage license to be processed before becoming the first couple to file their marriage license in Montgomery County.CreditBrynn Anderson/Associated Press

   MONTGOMERY, ALA.
   A Long Wait, a Historic Moment
   First Same-Sex Married Couple Gets to Celebrate
   Shanté Wolfe and Tori Sisson woke up Monday morning not knowing whether they would be married or not.

   Ms. Wolfe, 31, and Ms. Sisson, 24, of Tuskegee, Ala., had camped out on Sunday night in order to be first in line to receive a marriage license at the Montgomery County Administration Building and Courthouse Annex.

   Monday morning was drizzly, and then rainy, as the couple waited for the doors to the courthouse to open at 8 a.m., surrounded by a few gay and straight supporters and a scrum of news camera crews.

   “I don’t know what to expect, honestly,” said Ms. Wolfe, a media analyst, who was turned out in a maroon sweater and a pork pie hat, and was clutching an envelope with her photo ID and birth certificate. “I’m just hoping for the best.”

   The couple, who are African-American, were aware of their historic role — they were just a few blocks from Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once preached.

   But celebration and joy, not weighty disquisitions on history, were the order of the day. They were like any couple in love on their wedding day: full of jittery ebullience, nervous, excited. They had their first date two years ago, and had decided long ago that they were meant to be together.

   Ms. Sisson, a staff member of the Human Rights Campaign, was in a white knee-length dress and a flowered shawl. She tried to play down the drama, in the event that the judge did not issue a license. “It’s not like we’d break up,” she said. “We’d just be waiting until June, when the Supreme Court makes the final decision.”

   Eventually, sheriff’s deputies opened the doors and the couple took an elevator to the second floor, following signs directing people to the room where drivers’ and marriage licenses are issued.

   They approached the county and were greeted warmly by a clerk. “Good morning!” Ms. Sisson chirped. “We’re so excited!”

   And then history was made with the slow, cumbersome filling of boxes. The couple was given a form to complete on a clipboard. Judge Steven L. Reed was going to allow them to receive a marriage license. They sat knee-to-knee and filled out the form. A few more same-sex couples came in and began filling out the form as well.

   By 8:45 a.m. Ms. Wolfe and Ms. Sisson were walking, arm in arm, out of the clerk’s office, trailed by journalists and cameras. “It’s about time!” Ms. Wolfe declared.

   They walked back outside into the drizzle where a lone protester, David Day, 38, was standing outside with a sign quoting the Book of John. Mr. Day was arguing with Derek Fulford, 30, one of a handful of gay rights supporters.

   “The only one who has absolute knowledge is the God that created everyone of us,” Mr. Day said.

   “Well, how do we know he had absolute knowledge?” Mr. Fulford responded.

   There was a rush of applause from supporters as the women left the building. They walked across the street and stood in front of Karen Watson, 65, of Cottonwood, Ala., Ms. Sisson’s godmother, who is also a nondenominational minister.

   “Turn to Jesus my friends, life is a gift,” Mr. Day shouted.

   “We love you!” Ms Sisson replied.

   “Here standing before me are two very special women who are declaring their love for one another here in Montgomery, Alabama, and are willing to seal that love with the sanctity of marriage," Ms. Watson said.

   They exchanged rings, and vows. “You are the embodiment of divinity that I need,” Ms. Sisson said. “When I am not clear, you are the mirror I seek.” — Richard Fausset