Alabama judge says she can't divorce lesbian couple

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., March 13 (UPI) -- Two women who were legally married in Iowa cannot get divorced in Alabama because the state does not recognize the marriage, a judge ruled Thursday.

Patrick Hill, representing Michelle Richmond and Kirsten Allysse Richmond, said both women are legal residents of Alabama and their families live there, the Birmingham News reported. He said they were able to marry in Dubuque, Iowa, during a weekend trip in 2012 but would have to live in Iowa for at least a year to get a divorce there.

Judge Karen Hall, the presiding judge in Madison County, issued a brief order saying that Alabama law does not provide any means for the couple to divorce.

"I have a lot of faith in the court system, I have a lot of faith in Judge Karen Hall and I believe she ruled the only way she is able to given the current state of the law in Alabama," Hill said. "It's my intention to pursue this as far as I can to see to it that the law that prevents my client from getting a divorce is reversed, and the divorce case is given back to Judge Hall."