Kim Davis Jailed for Contempt in Kentucky Gay Marriage Dispute

ASHLAND, Ky. — Five of the six deputy county clerks for Rowan County agreed Thursday that they would issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples hours after a federal judge ordered their defiant boss to jail because of her refusal to do so.

 

The clerk, Kim Davis of Rowan County, had argued that the Supreme Court order that she do so infringed upon her religious beliefs and liberties. But after a hearing, Judge David L. Bunning of Federal District Court said that “her good faith belief is simply not a viable defense.”

 

“The court cannot condone the willful disobedience of its lawfully issued order,” said Judge Bunning, who was appointed by President George W. Bush. “If you give people the opportunity to choose which orders they follow, that’s what potentially causes problems.”

 

In a day of fast-moving events, he then took up the question of whether the clerk’s deputies would issue the licenses, according to reports. The one holdout was Ms. Davis’s son, Nathan.

 

Another hearing was scheduled for later Thursday, and Judge Bunning was expected to consider a request that Ms. Davis be released if she agreed to not interfere with marriage licenses for same-sex couples.

 

Read More: Kim Davis Jailed for Contempt in Kentucky Gay Marriage Dispute – The New York Times.