In Alabama, Gay People Can’t Get Married… But They Can Get Divorced

Just when we thought things couldn’t get any more farcical in the ongoing fight for marriage equality in Alabama, a judge there has granted two lesbians a divorce, even though the state doesn’t currently recognize same-sex marriage, despite the U.S. Supreme Court saying it must.

Shrie Michelle Richmond and Kirsten Allysse Richmond were married in Iowa in November 2012. They originally filed for divorce in their home state of Alabama in February 2014, but were denied because the state didn’t recognize gay marriage at the time. One year later, they tried again, on the same day same-sex marriage went into effect in the state thanks to a ruling made by U.S. district judge Callie Granade back in January.

Naturally, some folks were upset over Granade’s ruling. When the U.S. Supreme Court decided not to intervene, Alabama’s chief justice Ray Moore decided to take matters into his own hands by illegally ordering state judges to refuse to marry any same-sex couples, throwing the whole state into absolute chaos. Some judges followed Moore’s orders. Others didn’t. A minister was arrested for officiating a same-sex wedding. Even the KKK got involved by releasing a statement saying gay marriage would turn the country into “a third world cesspool.”

That’s when the state’s Supreme Court stepped in. Last week, it created even more chaos when the justices demanded that all same-sex marriage be halted, even though this is in direct violation of what the U.S. Supreme Court says.

Thankfully, not everyone in Alabama is stubborn, insane, and completely homophobic. Because earlier this week, Madison County circuit judge Karen Hall happily granted the divorce between Shrie Michelle Richmond and Kirsten Allysse Richmond without question and without making any public statements about her decision. Because she’s classy like that.

The issue of marriage equality will once again be taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court in April and will (hopefully!) put an end to all this madness.

Related stories:

Alabama Goes Rogue On Marriage

Alabama Supreme Court Orders Halt On Same-Sex Marriages Statewide

The KKK Is, Wait For It, Very Unhappy About Gay Marriage In Alabama

Graham Gremore

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PHOTOS: Artistic Activism

Artists adopt the power of the poster to raise awareness for LGBT immigration reform.

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Advocate.com Editors

www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/2015/03/16/photos-artistic-activism

Laws to Stop Marriage Equality Grow Increasingly Weird
Texas is pushing a proposed law that would let the state overrule the Supreme Court. There’s just one problem: they can’t actually do that. Alabama judges have decided that they don’t have to obey federal courts either, except that in reality, they do. And Oklahoma politician wants to switch from marriage licenses to marriage certificates, which would accomplish … not very much.

Let’s start in Texas this week, where first time State Rep Molly White has introduced a bill that would require the state to ignore any Supreme Court ruling that legalized marriage.

Can she do that? Nope, that’s not how laws work. Or the Supreme Court. Or America in general. For better or for worse, Texas is still part of the United States, so Texas can’t just say “no thanks” when the Supreme Court tells them to do something. White’s only been in office for two months, so hopefully she’ll get the hang of it soon.

Over in Alabama, the state Supreme Court is experiencing similar confusion. They’ve ordered probate judges to ignore the federal ruling that they have to issue marriage licenses. So now it’s state law versus federal law, and nobody knows who will win. Just kidding! Federal law will win. That’s the basis of our entire legal system.

Then there’s South Carolina, where a couple of politicians want to amend the US Constitution to ban marriage equality. This has no chance of happening. But State Senator Larry Grooms says that it’s necessary for “the propagation of our species.” Contrary to what Grooms seems to think, reproduction does not, in fact, originate in the U.S. Constitution.

And in Oklahoma, State Rep Todd Ross has solved the marriage debate with a new bill that stops the state from issuing marriage licenses, and instead requires marriage certificates. And this is different because … well, it’s actually pretty much the same, it’s just slightly less paperwork. So, okay.

Finally this week a new national survey shows support for marriage soaring to 59 percent, with just 33 percent opposed. This means that the freedom to marry is slightly more popular than the Pope.

www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-baume/laws-to-stop-marriage-equ_b_6876110.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Teen shares father's horrifying response to his coming out: 'I'm going to puke'

‘You are trying to ruin me. This is worse than death’

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darrenw

www.gaystarnews.com/article/teen-shares-fathers-horrifying-response-his-coming-out-im-going-puke160315

Jessica Lange Confirms She's 'Done' With 'American Horror Story'
Jessica Lange is officially leaving the “American Horror Story” franchise. The actress, who’s starred in all four seasons of Ryan Murphy’s anthology horror series, previously said that the most recent season of “Freak Show” would be her last.

During Sunday’s “AHS” panel at PaleyFest in Los Angeles, Lange confirmed the news. “Yes, I’m done,” she said. “We’ve had a great run here. I absolutely love doing these four characters, and in all madness, I love the writers and Ryan and the insanity of shooting it.” Let that sad news sink in.

While Lange may be gone, the “AHS” gang announced a new cast member who will star alongside Lady Gaga in the upcoming season of “Hotel.” Matt Bomer, who made a guest appearance in one episode of “Freak Show,” will co-star in “Hotel.” The actor was quiet about who he will play, saying only, “I can’t confirm nor deny that there will be a romantic relationship [with Lady Gaga’s character].” Cheyenne Jackson of “Glee” will also join the new season, but wouldn’t spill anything else about his character.

No further details have been announced about “Hotel,” but there are fan theories about a real-life hotel it could be based on. We also finally learned what those “Freak Show” top hat clues were all about.

“American Horror Story” returns in October on FX.

www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/15/jessica-lange-american-horror-story_n_6873892.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices