The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has denied a request to halt same-sex marriages in Alabama.

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has responded to a January 26 request from Alabama’s Attorney General to stay two federal court rulings that struck down his state’s ban on same-sex marriage. A three judge panel refused to issue a stay onÂ U.S. District Judge Callie V. S. Granade’s rulings. Judge Granade herself issued stays on her own rulings which expire next week.

As of now, same-sex couples should be able to marry in the Heart of Dixie after the stays expire on February 9. But Attorney General Luther Strange (above) could appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Given the governor’s desperateÂ attempt to fend off marriage equalityÂ â€“ he sent the Court an amicus brief claiming different-sex marriage is in part defined by and necessary to uphold laws banning incest and polygamy. It’s likely Alabama will exhaust all options before equality wins.

Should the AG appeal to the Supreme Court and be denied a stay,Â Judge Grenade could theoretically remove her stay even earlier, time permitting.

UPDATE:Â Breaking: Citing ‘Confusion,’ Alabama To Ask Supreme Court To Halt Same-Sex Marriages

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Hat tip: Equality Case Files and Washington Blade