Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore continued his defiant stand against gay marriage by issuing an order not to honor any such marriages.

It follows a federal court order striking down Alabama's ban on gay marriage and the subsequent rejection by the US Supreme Court of attempts to overturn the order.

Moore sent a written order to Alabama probate judges to refrain from issuing marriage licenses for same sex marriages. "Effective immediately, no probate judge of the State of Alabama nor any agent or employee of any Alabama probate judge shall issue or recognize a marriage license that is inconsistent with the Alabama Constitution or state law," he wrote, as written in a report by the New York Times.

According to Moore, offending judges who violate his order will be reprimanded by the governor of Alabama. Governor Robert Bentley, however, indicated that he will not punish judges whether they comply with Moore's ruling or not.

Last Monday, when same sex unions officially became legal in the state, many gay couples who sought out licenses were refused. In a report by the Washington Post, at least 12 counties refused to give licenses to same sex couples, and more than 40 counties halted the issuing of marriage licenses altogether.

Hundreds of same sex couples in Huntsville, Jefferson County, and Montgomery County, were able to successfully obtain their marriage licenses last Monday. On Tuesday, after receiving legal explanation, officials in three more counties indicated that they will comply with the ruling and will begin issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples, in a report by ABC News.

Amanda Snipes, a campaign manager of Southerners for the Freedom to Marry, expressed optimism despite the temporary setback. "It's disappointing, but once again, many couples who wanted to get married today are getting married today. Although we're not in a statewide resolution yet, that day will come," she said.