Judge puts 2-week stay on Alabama same-sex marriage ruling

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - A federal judge late Sunday put a two-week hold on her decision that overturned Alabama's gay marriage ban, but said same-sex couples should not be kept in a lengthy state of legal limbo

U.S. District Judge Callie V. S. Granade refused the Alabama attorney general's request to put her ruling on indefinite hold until the U.S. Supreme Court takes up the decision of same-sex marriage later this year. However, Granade did issue a 14-day stay to give the state time to appeal her decision to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Granade said it was inappropriate, in her view, to put the decision on permanent hold.

"As long as a stay is in place, same-sex couples and their families remain in a state of limbo with respect to adoption, child care and custody, medical decisions, employment and health benefits, future tax implications, inheritance and many other rights associated with marriage," she wrote.

The latest decision was a disappointment to couples who had hoped to get married in the wake of the ruling.

Tori Sisson and Shante Wolfe had camped outside the Montgomery courthouse on Sunday night.

"It's aggravating. The judge ruled and everybody got so excited and now, this," Sisson said.

The stay will expire Feb. 9 unless the court extends it.