Update:
Another day, another refusal to follow the law.
This morning, Rowan County clerk Kim Davis (who has reportedly been married four times herself) again refused to issue marriage licenses, despite having her stay request denied yesterday by the U.S. Supreme Court. She claims to be working “under God’s authority.”
David Ermold and David Moore, together 17 years, were denied their legal right to a marriage license for the fourth time.
Davis could now be held in contempt of court and face fines or jail time.
Justice delayed is justice denied.
As you know, marriage equality is now the law of the land and same-sex couples have the freedom to marry across the U.S.
In a few small pockets of the country, however, some county clerks have been holding out, refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples — and opposite-couples, too, as a tactic to get away with the discrimination. Kentucky’s Rowan County clerk, Kim Davis, has become the face of this resistance. Cheered on by the anti-gay extremist group, Liberty Counsel, she has continued to defy the federal order to issue marriage licenses.
One gay couple has returned to her office multiple times, only to be turned away each time. They want to be married in their home county and, on principle, have refused to travel to get married. Marriage equality should not depend on where you live in 2015.
With the stay on the federal order expiring August 31st, and with her legal options running out, Kim Davis and Liberty Counsel had requested an emergency stay from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Late today, the Supreme Court answered that request. It reads:
The application for stay presented to Justice Kagan and by her referred to the Court is denied.
As of tonight, the jig’s up for Kim Davis and other clerks who believe their personal religious beliefs entitle them to discriminate. It’s time for them to do their jobs, or resign.
Tomorrow, if she fails to do her job, there will be consequences. Stay tuned …
Click here for more on today’s events.