Bentley, Strange ‘disappointed’ Alabama failed in appeal to block same-sex marriage

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February 3, 2015

MONTGOMERY — Alabama Governor Robert Bentley and Attorney General Luther Strange each released statements Tuesday slamming the 11th Circuit Court’s decision to not delay a lower court ruling legalizing gay marriage in the state.

“I am disappointed by the 11th Circuit’s decision today,” Gov. Bentley said. “The issue of same sex marriage is a complicated one that involves all levels of government. My request to the 11th Circuit was simply to ask that the stay be held until the Supreme Court can rule once and for all this year or pending the fully briefed 11th Circuit appeal of the issue.”

The Governor also expressed support for AG Strange’s appeal to the US Supreme Court to stay the decision until the high court makes its final decision this summer.

“I am disappointed in the 11th U.S. Circuit Court’s decision not to stay the federal district court’s ruling,” Attorney General Luther Strange said in his statement. “The confusion that has been created by the District Court’s ruling could linger for months until the U.S. Supreme Court resolves this issue once and for all.”

As Yellowhammer wrote earlier Tuesday, the 11th Circuit is widely considered one of the most conservative federal appeals courts in the country.

Their ruling is another signal that the Supreme Court will likely rule gay marriage bans to be unconstitutional when it makes its decision this summer.