On Tuesday night, Alabama's Supreme Court ordered state officials to stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, contradicting an earlier ruling by a federal judge, The New York Times reports.

"As it as done for approximately two centuries, Alabama law allows for 'marriage' between only one man and one woman," read the ruling. "Alabama probate judges have a ministerial duty not to issue any marriage licenses contrary to this law. Nothing in the United State Constitution alters or overrides this duty."

In January, U.S. District Court Judge Callie V.S. Granade ruled that the state's ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. Chief Justice Roy S. Moore told officials to ignore this ruling, creating a situation where, according to the majority opinion, "confusion reigns."

Of Alabama's eight Supreme Court Justices, only one dissented from Tuesday's ruling. Justice Greg Shaw argued the Court does not have jurisdiction over the case while agreeing, "The federal district court's order did nothing less than change the very definition of the institution of marriage in Alabama."

The Supreme Court of the United States is expected to announce a decision on the constitutionality of state same-sex marriage bans in June.

[Image via AP Images]