Kentucky Clerk Ordered to Jail for Refusing to License Same-Sex Marriages

Thursday, September 03, 2015

GoLocal Worcester News Team

Kim Davis, the Rowan County, Kentucky Clerk who has been in the spotlight recently for her decision not to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, was ordered jailed by Judge David L. Bunning of Federal District Court on Thursday.

Bunning said Davis, an elected official who had refused to issue the licenses on religious grounds, would be released from jail once she agreed to an order compelling her to issue the marriage licenses.

On June 26, the Supreme Court ruled that bans on same-sex marriages were unconstitutional. Still, some local clerks have refused to issue licenses.

Bunning said at the hearing that Davis' reasoning for not issuing the licenses was “simply insufficient.”

“It’s not physically impossible for her to issue the licenses,” he said. “She’s choosing not to.”

“Thank You Judge”

Bunning's decision to jail Davis contradicted requests from prosecutors, who asked the judge to fine her rather than put her behind bars. Bunning said he did not believe a fine would provoke her compliance with the order.

As Davis was ushered out of the courtroom, she was heard saying “thank you, Judge.”

The Struggles Continue

While the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage was the law of the land, some couples are still fighting to wed.

Government employees in Alabama, North Carolina and Texas have also refused to issue licenses on religious grounds.

Two other clerks in Kentucky have also been refusing to issue licenses, though Bunning warned that his order to issue the licenses also applied to them.

Related Slideshow: How Central Mass. Firms Place In LGBT-Friendly Ranking

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