Kentucky Clerk Still Refuses To Give Marriage Licenses To Gay Couples

In June, people across the country rejoiced when the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

But, not everyone was happy, a fact made particularly evident via the actions of a county clerk in Kentucky named Kim Davis. Davis adamantly refuses to grant any marriage licenses, despite the Supreme Court's landmark decision earlier this summer, The New York Times reports.

Davis is an Apostolic Christian. She said she opposes same-sex marriage on religious grounds, and she believes she should not be forced to issue marriage licenses.

In spite of her objections, a federal judge recently ordered Davis -- and all other county clerks -- to begin issuing licenses, and an appeals court allegedly maintained that decision. Subsequently, Davis appealed to the Supreme Court, but her application was rejected on Monday.

But on Tuesday morning, Davis still defied the highest court in the land by refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples who entered the Rowan County Courthouse.

Amid quite a scene, Davis reportedly told one couple she denied the pair a marriage license "under the authority of God."

David Moore and David Ermold, another couple denied by Davis, told the clerk they would not leave until they were issued a license. Davis reportedly replied,

Then you're going to have a long day.

Davis has no legal grounds to deny licenses to anyone, and if she continues down this road, she could be held in contempt of court and face fines or jail time, The New York Times reports.

According to The Washington Post, Rowan County Sheriff Matt Sparks stated,

She will likely be found in contempt, as we know.

Davis' obstinance presented one of the first notable challenges to the Supreme Court's decision to legalize same-sex marriage, but it seems she will ultimately lose this fight.

Citations: Defying court Kentucky clerk denies gay-marriage licenses under Gods authority (The Washington Post), Kentucky Clerk Denies Same Sex Marriage Licenses Defying Court (The New York Times)