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Overruling 'God's Authority,' Supreme Court Affirms Gay Marriage Ruling
Kentucky county clerk has reportedly continued to refuse to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples
Sep 01, 2015
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.
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Lauren McCauley
Lauren McCauley is a former senior editor for Common Dreams covering national and international politics and progressive news. She is now the Editor of Maine Morning Star. Lauren also helped produce a number of documentary films, including the award-winning Soundtrack for a Revolution and The Hollywood Complex, as well as one currently in production about civil rights icon James Meredith. Her writing has been featured on Newsweek, BillMoyers.com, TruthDig, Truthout, In These Times, and Extra! the newsletter of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. She currently lives in Kennebunk, Maine with her husband, two children, a dog, and several chickens.
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.
Lauren McCauley
Lauren McCauley is a former senior editor for Common Dreams covering national and international politics and progressive news. She is now the Editor of Maine Morning Star. Lauren also helped produce a number of documentary films, including the award-winning Soundtrack for a Revolution and The Hollywood Complex, as well as one currently in production about civil rights icon James Meredith. Her writing has been featured on Newsweek, BillMoyers.com, TruthDig, Truthout, In These Times, and Extra! the newsletter of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. She currently lives in Kennebunk, Maine with her husband, two children, a dog, and several chickens.
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.
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