MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama has asked a federal judge to prevent marriage licenses from being issued to gay couples until the U.S. Supreme Court decides the issue of same-sex marriage.

Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange’s office on Friday evening filed a motion asking U.S. District Callie V.S. Granade to put a hold on her decision that overturned the state’s ban on gay marriage.

Granade ruled the ban was in violation of the U.S. Constitution, and enjoined Strange from enforcing the two laws that banned gay marriage in Alabama.

State lawyers said there would be confusion if marriages are recognized on an interim basis and are later found to be inconsistent with Alabama law.

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide whether same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry.


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