Kentucky clerk Kim Davis could stay locked up for a while
The county clerk in Kentucky who went to jail last week after refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, may be in for months. But her constituents are finally able to get their licenses and plan weddings.
April Miller, left, and her partner Karen Roberts arrive to obtain their marriage license at the Rowan County Judicial Center in Morehead, Ky., Friday, Sept. 4, 2015. Miller, one of the plaintiffs in the suit against Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis, applied for her license with her partner less than 24 hours after Davis was jailed on contempt charges.
Timothy D. Easley/AP
Grayson, Ky.
Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis will spend Labor Day weekend in isolation at the Carter County Detention Center with her Bible and her clear conscience.
At least three same-sex couples will spend the weekend planning weddings after finally receiving the marriage licenses they asked for months ago but were denied because Davis believes gay marriage is a sin.
The Rowan County Clerk's office issued the licenses to same-sex couples on Friday under threat of jail time or fines if they didn't comply with a federal judge's order. While the licenses were freely given, the drama surrounding theclerk does not appear to be ending anytime soon. Davis met with her attorneys in jail Friday and told them she would "never violate her conscience or betray her God."
U.S. District Judge David Bunning has said he will not release Davis unless she agrees to obey his order. Davis' attorneys said the only way she would relent would be to change Kentucky's state law so that marriage licenses are not issued under the authority of the county clerk. They claim the licenses that were issued were not valid.
The state legislature will not meet again until January. Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear has refused to call a special session, arguing it would waste taxpayer money to bring the legislature back on an issue that so far only affects one elected official. That means Davis could potentially be in jail for months until the state legislature has a chance to change the law early next year.
Davis' supporters are not backing down. They planned a "Free Kim Davis" rally in front of the jail on Saturday and Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee said he planned to meet with Davis on Tuesday.