Clerk Not Forced to Issue Marriage Licenses for Now

A Kentucky clerk will not have to issue marriage licenses to gay couples while she pursues an appeal.

Last week, U.S. District Court Judge David Bunning ordered Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis to issue licenses to same-sex couples despite her religious objections.
    
In his order, Bunning said Davis "likely violated the constitutional rights of his constituents" by standing on her Christian beliefs "at the expense of others."

Monday, he stayed that decision while she takes her case to a Circuit Court of Appeals.

Davis is being sued by a gay couple. Kentucky's Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear ordered her to issue the license, resign, or be fired.

Her attorney, Liberty Counsel's Roger Gannam, said his client doesn't intend to issue any licenses until all her appeals are exhausted.

"Kim Davis is resolute in vindicating her rights," Gannam said. "Fundamentally, we disagree with this order because the government should never be able to compel a person to violate their sincerely held religious beliefs."