article_snippet: The morning after the 2004 election, when voters in 11 states passed constitutional bans on marriage equality,  I never thought I'd see committed and loving gay and lesbian couples getting married in my lifetime -- in Alabama of all places.
article_snippet: Even today, more than half the counties in the state are refusing to issue licenses to gay couples.
article_snippet: The 13 states that still ban same-sex marriage .
article_snippet: Even with Alabama entering the marriage equality column, there are still 13 states that deny these couples these couples equal rights.
article_snippet: Federal judge: Alabama judges must issue gay marriage licenses .
highlights_snippet: Some judges in Alabama are opposing same-sex marriages .
  