Kentucky Clerk Remains Jailed While Deputies Agree to Issue Marriage Licenses

Five of the six deputy Rowan County clerks agreed to comply with a judge’s orders to issue same-sex marriage licenses on September 3, according to local media. Clerk Kim Davis, jailed for contempt of court, refused to authorize the deputies to issue the licenses, so she remained in jail. The only deputy clerk to hold out was Davis’ son.

U.S. District Judge David Bunning ordered Davis on August 12 to issue licenses. She continued to turn away same-sex couples, saying she had until September 1 to comply. Davis appealed the decision to the US Supreme Court, who rejected her request on August 31. On September 1, she again refused several same-sex couples marriage licenses, which brought Davis before Bunning on September 3.

The couples had requested Davis not be jailed but rather fined for not issuing the marriage licenses, but Bunning said that would not work because someone could raise the money to pay for Davis’ fine.

Davis has refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples since the US Supreme Court legalized it in June, citing her religious beliefs.

This video shows protesters outside the courthouse. Credit: Instagram/decayisinevitable