Backing up this year's landmark equality ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected a Kentucky county clerk's request to deny issuing same-sex marriage certificates on the grounds of religious preference.
In a unanimous decision, the court ruled that the Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis could not 'opt out' of her duties as a public official because of her personal objections.
The ruling marks the court's first foray into a series of pending legal battles following the Obergefell v. Hodges et. al. decision in June. Davis attempted to appeal that decision to the 6th U.S. Circuit Court. When her stay was denied, she requested a stay pending appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court so that she could continue to refuse to issue marriage licenses.
"Today the U.S. Supreme Court resoundingly affirmed that government officials must carry out the duties of public office," said Steven Shapiro, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union. "By refusing to simply issue a form, Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis has prevented our clients, four loving couples, from obtaining marriage licenses in the county where they live and pay taxes. Davis has no basis for any further delay in denying couples the freedom to marry."
However, despite the ruling, Davis—evoking "God's authority"—continued to reject marriage license requests on Monday and, according to reports, faces a potential charge of "contempt of court."
WKYT reporter Hillary Thornton documented on her Twitter feed the exchange between Davis and same-sex couples seeking marriage certificates.
