MOREHEAD, Ky. (Reuters) – The county clerk from Kentucky who was jailed after refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples said Monday she will not block licenses from being issued, or authorize them.
Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis, 49, who has said her beliefs as an Apostolic Christian prevent her from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, said licenses would state that they are being issued under a U.S. District Court order.
Davis, who returned to work on Monday, told a news conference any marriage licenses issued would not carry her name, title or her personal authorization. She added she would take no action against deputy clerks who issue licenses, although she does not believe they have the authority to do so.
The issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples in Kentucky and other states has become the latest focal point in the long-running debate over gay marriage that has continued after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June that extended the practice across the United States.
U.S. District Judge David Bunning ordered Davis jailed for contempt on Sept. 3 for refusing to comply with his order to issue licenses in line with the Supreme Court ruling. He ordered her released five days later when the licenses were being issued by deputy clerks.