Naharnet

Rebel U.S. County Issues First Marriage Licenses to Gay Couples

A U.S. county at the center of a firestorm for refusing to issue marriage licenses to gays handed out its first certificate to a same-sex couple Friday, local television reported.

The reversal comes after the Rowan County clerk in Kentucky was ordered jailed for contempt of court Thursday after refusing to comply with the Supreme Court's June 26 landmark ruling legalizing gay marriage. 

Kim Davis, an Apostolic Christian, had made headlines for insisting it was against her religious beliefs to do so, ultimately landing her behind bars.

As part of his ruling Thursday, Judge David Bunning said Davis's deputies must begin issuing marriage licenses Friday. Five of the six have complied, with only her son resisting the order, local broadcaster WKYT reported.

Shortly after the Rowan County Courthouse opened Friday morning, James Yates and William Smith, Jr., became the first couple to get a marriage license -- after unsuccessfully trying to do so multiple times, according to the station.

By refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, Davis went from being a public servant to a heroine for millions of Americans opposed to gay marriage.

The 49-year-old says she is not prejudiced, but simply that her faith trumps all.

"I have no animosity toward anyone and harbor no ill will. To me this has never been a gay or lesbian issue. It is about marriage and God's word," she has said.

On Friday, Davis' husband said his wife was prepared to stay in jail "as long as it takes."

Joe Davis was also quoted by WKYT as saying that Judge Bunning was "a bully." 

Davis's defiance has been applauded by a number of Republican presidential candidates -- including former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and Texas Senator Ted Cruz -- who have often painted themselves and fellow U.S. Christians as persecuted by a secular, "politically correct" society. 

Source: Agence France Presse


Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/189141