Clerk who continues to deny marriage licenses is ordered to appear in court with deputies Thursday

A federal judge has ordered the Kentucky county clerk who continues to refuse marriage licenses to anyone, citing her religious objections to same-sex marriage, to appear in court with her deputies Thursday to explain why she shouldn't be held in contempt of court, John Cheves reports for the Lexington Herald-Leader. (Cheves photo: A crowd gathered at the clerk's office Tuesday)

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2015/09/01/4014743/rowan-county-clerk-continues-to.html#emlnl=Breaking_news#storylink=cpy

This morning Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis "told two couples who asked for marriage licenses that she would not issue them, despite a federal court injunction ordering her to do so," Cheves writes. "In a brief but tense encounter between Davis and a couple dozen marriage-equality demonstrators who crowded into her office, the clerk repeatedly said she was not issuing licenses." When asked "Under whose authority?" she replied, "God's authority. I'm willing to face my consequences, and you all will face your consequences when it comes time for judgment. Plain and simple." For video of the confrontation, from Lexington's WKYT-TV, click here.

Cheves reports, "Outside the Rowan County courthouse, more than 100 protesters—some supporting Davis, others opposing he  shouted slogans at one another from across the entryway. Sheriff's deputies stood and watched, but there were no arrests." District Judge David Bunning "ordered her to resume on Aug. 12, an order she unsuccessfully appealed to the 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals and, over the weekend, to the Supreme Court," which denied her appeal. Attorneys for the American Civil Liberties Union said they are not seeking to have Davis jailed, but fined so heavily that she will be forced to relent or resign. (Read more)

Rowan County is just outside the Eastern
Kentucky Coal Field. (Wikipedia map)

In Kentucky, an elected official can only be removed by impeachment or conviction for official misconduct, which is currently being pursued by the county attorney through the office of Attorney General Jack Conway, the Democratic nominee for governor in the Nov. 3 election. Religious conservatives have criticized Conway for not appealing the initial ruling against the state's ban on same-sex marriage; that was one of the rulings upheld by the Supreme Court in June. For coverage from the local weekly, go to www.themoreheadnews.com.