Seismic Shift Underway as Increasing Number of Alabama Counties Extend Marriage Rights to Couples

by HRC Staff

Sixteen more Alabama counties are now issuing marriage certificates for same-sex couples as a result of judge's order

WASHINGTON— As of noon on Friday, the Human Rights Campaign has confirmed that a seismic shift in favor of equality is occurring throughout Alabama as 39 counties -- up from 23 yesterday afternoon -- are marrying same-sex couples today. Here is the current state of play in the across Alabama:

Issuing to all couples:


Autauga, Baldwin, Blount, Bullock, Butler, Calhoun, Cherokee, Chilton, Coffee, Colbert, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Dale, Dallas, Elmore, Escambia, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Greene Henry, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lee, Limestone, Lowndes, Madison, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Perry, Talladega, Tuscaloosa, Wilcox and Winston.

75% of population

39 counties

Issuing to only straight couples:

Chambers, Clay, Cleburne. Covington, Cullman, Dekalb, Macon, Marengo, Marion, Pickens, Shelby, Sumter, St. Clair, Washington.

13% percent of the population

14 counties

Not issuing licenses to any couples:

Barbour, Bibb, Choctaw, Clarke, Coosa, Geneva, Hale, Houston, Marshall, Pike, Randolph, Russell, Tallapoosa, Walker.

12% percent of the population

14 counties

Current as of 11:30 a.m. 2/13/2015

Yesterday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Callie V.S. Granade issued an order in favor of several same-sex couples—represented by the National Center for Lesbian Rights, ACLU of Alabama, and private counsel Christine Hernandez and David Kennedy—who tried unsuccessfully to get married in the city earlier this week. Mobile County Probate Judge Don Davis, who has refused to issue licenses to any couples since Monday, was cited by Granade for failing to follow the law. Probate judges throughout the state have clearly followed suit.

"These numbers represent a seismic shift in favor of equality and justice. Resistance to happy, loving and committed same-sex couples getting married is quickly crumbling throughout the state," said Fred Sainz, HRC's vice president for communications. "Judge Granade's order was quickly heeded and we would expect that by the end of the day, the vast majority of Alabama's counties will allow same-sex couples to marry."

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