Gov. Robert Bentley urges calm amid emotional times in wake of gay marriage ruling. (Sharon Steinmann/ssteinmann@al.com)

The Alabama governor after speaking to a business group in suburban Birmingham urged calm amid strong emotions following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling Friday legalizing same-sex marriage.

"I agree with 81 percent of the people of Alabama who believe that marriage is between one man and one woman," said Bentley, shortly after speaking to a business group meeting in north Shelby County this morning. "Despite the courts ruling this morning I have not changed my mind."

But the governor added that now that the court has ruled that same-sex marriage is legal, he expects Alabama courts to follow the law.

"We will always obey the law. We will follow the rule of law," said Bentley.

Bentley said he knows that the ruling will result in deep emotions and feelings being expressed by those on all sides of the issue.

"It will be emotional for many but I want to urge everyone today to be calm. We can express our disagreements verbally as I have. But I have to uphold not only the constitution of Alabama, but I swore to uphold the Constitution of the United States and we will uphold the law of the United States. I will uphold the law of the nation and this is now the law."