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Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis was jailed yesterday afternoon, still refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Despite being ordered to do so, Davis maintains that “God’s moral law” conflicts with her job duties.
Davis’ attorney, Roger Gannam said yesterday that it is “the first time in history an American citizen has been incarcerated for having the belief of conscience that marriage is a union between one man and one woman.”
Support for Davis is split – even among Christians; some feeling that Davis is within her right to protect her religious liberty, others feeling that as an elected official she should resign if her beliefs are in conflict with performing her job. Davis has the option of resigning, but if she chooses not to she can be held in jail for up to 18 months for being in contempt. In lieu of resignation, Davis has asked that her named and title be removed from the licenses and that the Commonwealth of Kentucky or a deputy sign the license in place of her. Five of six deputies have agreed to do so. The lone hold out is Davis’ son, Nathan.
Interestingly, Davis has been subject to similar scrutiny that she’s issuing. Many of the couples she refuses to issue licenses to, pointing out that she herself has been married three times.
