Probate Judge Asks Alabama Supreme Court To Protect His Refusal To Issue Same-Sex Marriage Licences

As reported by AL.com, on Wednesday Alabama Probate Judge Nick Williams filed an "Emergency Petition for Declaratory Judgment and/or Protective Order In Light of Jailing of Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis" (full text of petition) and a Memorandum In Support of the motion (full text). Williams objects on religious grounds to issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The petition begins:

The jailing of Kentucky Clerk Kimberly B. Davis puts at immediate risk the liberty interest of all faithful and religiously sincere public officials in Alabama whose office has responsibility for making decisions as to whether to give sanction and honor to homosexual relationships to include the issuance of a license to engage in sodomy.  These officers need this Court's declaration that their sincerely held religious beliefs do not disqualify them from holding their office.

Last March, the Alabama Supreme Court issued a writ of mandamus ordering Probate Court judges around the state to discontinue the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples, (See prior posting.)  Judge Williams emergency motion was technically filed as a motion in that case, captioned in the motion as Ex parte State of Alabama ex rel Alabama Policy Institute v. King (Case No. 1140460). .