Late Tuesday night, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled all county probate offices should comply with the state’s gay marriage ban — despite a federal district judge’s ruling that the ban was unconstitutional. This means the state’s hopeful newlyweds can no longer apply for marriage licenses, and also casts doubt on whether or not licenses already issued will be honored. So leave it to the original Star Trek‘s most fabulous cast member to come to the rescue.
George Takei and his husband Brad took to Instagram and Facebook on Wednesday with the #LuvUAlabama campaign. No, they’re not hating on the entire state for the actions of its supreme court judges and the same sex marriage ban’s supporters. Instead, the Takeis are rallying their followers to support Alabama’s LGBT population — especially those who want to get married.
So what’s the deal? Simple — take a photo of yourself or you and your SO, flash your ring finger(s) even if there isn’t a ring, and post it on social media with the #LuvUAlabama hashtag and your home state. The response has been tremendously positive, to say the least:
Whether it be from Alabama itself:
#LuvUAlabama #AL pic.twitter.com/3SZffwSQYo
— Mary Johnson (@mpmarus) March 4, 2015
A red-faced many who calls himself “The Hairy Gaytheist”:
You'll have to pry it from my cold, dead fingers. #LuvUAlabama pic.twitter.com/va1imv5ees
— Orange U Gladd (@orange_u_gladd) March 4, 2015
Or a young woman in California sans wedding or engagement ring:
Show your ring finger in support of marriage equality in #Alabama 💍 #luvualabama #california #alabamalgbt #scotus pic.twitter.com/46jAwrOrTV
— Keren (@KerBearSays) March 4, 2015
Of course, it’s not without its detractors:
Enjoying the #LuvUAlabama hashtag and all it stands for but crikey those are some ugly rings.
— Philip J. Ellis (he/him) (@Philip_Ellis) March 4, 2015