Kentucky clerk jailed for refusing to recognize gay marriages

A county clerk in Kentucky was held in contempt of court and jailed on Thursday for failing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples in defiance of the U.S. Supreme Court.

But five of Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis’ six deputies later told the judge in a second hearing that they were willing to issue the licenses.

It remained to be seen whether U.S. District Judge David Bunning, at a third hearing later on Thursday, would grant a request by Davis’ attorneys to release her.

That hearing was scheduled for 3:30 pm ET to determine Davis’ fate. Bunning earlier said he was not inclined to release her on Thursday.

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Davis, who broke down crying, was led away by U.S. Marshals after the first hearing.

The 49-year-old woman, who has emerged as a darling of social conservatives, has refused to issue licenses to any couples, gay or straight, since the U.S. Supreme Court in June ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry under the U.S. Constitution, citing her beliefs as an Apostolic Christian.

Thursday’s proceedings were the culmination of months of legal wrangling and refusals to abide a judge’s order to do her job that had drawn national attention from those both for and against gay marriage rights.

“Marriage is a union between one man and one woman,” she told the court under questioning by her attorney.

(Reuters)
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