There have been multiple stories about county clerks across the country quitting rather than issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples following the Supreme Court's decision last month. In Tennessee, an entire staff at one county clerk's office resigned.
Then we have the tale of two (unrelated) Davises in Kentucky.
Casey Davis is one Kentucky clerk who has no intention of quitting. Reporting on a meeting he had with Governor Steve Beshear (D), he said the governor told him to "'Issue marriage licenses or resign.' Those were the words. I can't quit. I have a mortgage to pay." During the meeting, friends and family of Mr. Davis met in the Capital Rotunda to pray.
what eye thynk: Apparently he has no reservations about accepting a paycheck that is at least partially funded by Kentucky's gay taxpayers. Maybe he'd like to return the portion that comes from Kentucky's gay citizens?
And it's interesting that this upright, Christian and supposedly moral man sees nothing wrong with accepting a full paycheck while refusing to perform his full duties.
In a written statement, Governor Beshear said, "When he was elected, he took a constitutional oath to uphold the United States Constitution. One of Mr. Davis' duties as county court clerk is to issue marriage licenses, and the Supreme Court now says that the United States constitution requires those marriage licenses to be issued regardless of gender."
Casey Davis is one of three Kentucky clerks who have presented letters to Governor Beshear asking that he recall the state legislature for a special session in order to change the state's marriage laws to protect county clerks who have religious objections to same-sex marriage. The governor has declined.
Another Davis, this one Kim Davis of Rowan County, will be before U.S. District Judge David Bunning tomorrow. She refused to issue marriage licenses to two same-sex couples and to two straight couples after the Supreme Court's ruling.
Spitefully keeping everyone from marrying in Rowan County. Jesus must be so proud of her!
The ACLU is seeking an injunction to force her to do her job. A similar case was filed against Katie Lang, a county clerk in Texas. When Ms. Lang refused a same-sex couple a license, stating that she didn't have any copies of the new form that replaced "Husband" and "Wife" with "Applicant 1" and "Applicant 2," the couple left and returned a few hours later with a copy of the correct form. Another staff member then refused to accept their license fee. Ms. Lang reappeared and confirmed that her office would not issue them a marriage license.
The couple's lawyer filed a case in Texas court requesting an injunction against the clerk's office. Less than two hours later, Ms. Lang's office issued the couple their marriage license. Defying the Texas court order would have put the clerks in danger of jail time.
When forced to choose between Jesus and jail, it seems religion isn't that important after all.
Kentucky's two Davises could face the same choice on Monday.
When Governor Beshear was asked about the defiance of federal law being exhibited by clerks like the Davises and whether he would be able to force them to resign he said, "The rest of the county court clerks are complying with the law regardless of their personal beliefs. The courts and the voters will deal appropriately with the rest."
Mr. Davis replied by referencing a verse from the book of Proverbs in the Bible saying he was going to be "not wise in mine own eyes. I'm going to fear the Lord and depart from evil."
Departing is exactly what the Governor is requesting him to do. If he chooses to decline, I hear they have real nice church services in jail every Sunday...and the gay inmates are invited too.
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