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AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Hundreds are gathering at the Texas Capitol for a rally against same-sex marriage, headlined by Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore.

A gay marriage opponent, Moore instructed Alabama's state probate judges to refuse marriage licenses for gay couples despite a federal court ruling that Alabama's same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional.

Monday afternoon, Moore encouraged Texas lawmakers to stand up to the federal government, adding that "state courts have equal authority."

Texas voters supported a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage in 2005.

The Defense of the Texas Marriage Amendment Rally is one of two events opposing same-sex marriage held in Austin on Monday.

Meanwhile, at a nearby church, Equality Texas kicked-off Family Advocacy Day with lunch and an ice cream social. It was lobbying lawmakers in support of gay marriage.

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