Alabama Chief Justice Tells Judge To Stop Issuing Gay Marriage Licenses According to reports from the Associated Press, Alabamas top justice just announced that state probate judges should not issue same-sex marriage licenses. That order comes in direct conflict with the Supreme Courts decision to legalize gay marriage last year. Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore of Alabama cited several conflicting rulings to back his decision, and argues that until they are resolved, the states gay marriage ban will remain in effect. Until further decision by the Alabama Supreme Court, the existing orders of the Alabama Supreme Court that Alabama probate judges have a ministerial duty not to issue any marriage license contrary to the Alabama Sanctity of Marriage Amendment or the Alabama Marriage Protection Act remain in full force and effect, he wrote in a statement. It is unclear whether judges in the state have been issuing licenses thus far. Moore argues that even though the United States Supreme Court invalidated anti-gay marriage laws, existing laws in Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee have sparked confusion and uncertaintyamong the probate judges of this State as to the effect on existing orders. Moore claims that the broader issue is which law the state will follow, and argues that the Alabama Supreme Court continues to deliberate on the matter. 