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Kentucky clerk defies Supreme Court order on gay marriage Kentucky clerk defies Supreme Court order on gay marriage
(35 minutes later)
A Christian official has refused to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples in Kentucky despite exhausting all of her legal options.A Christian official has refused to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples in Kentucky despite exhausting all of her legal options.
A district judge could now hold Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis in contempt, which can carry steep fines or jail time. Two gay couples earlier denied licenses have requested Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis be held in contempt of court.
She had argued that her faith prevented her from carrying out her duty. But they asked a district judge to punish Ms Davis by fining her, rather than sending her to jail.
But the US Supreme Court rejected her argument on Monday and ordered her to grant licences. The US Supreme Court on Monday rejected the argument that her faith prevented her from carrying out her duty.
On Tuesday morning, two gay couples were turned away when they asked for marriage licences. Despite court orders to continue issuing licences, Ms Davis turned away two gay couples seeking marriage licences on Tuesday morning.
Ms Davis stayed inside her office with the blinds closed as the couples demanded to see her. Ms Davis, who cannot be removed from post because she is an elected official, stayed inside her office with the blinds closed as the couples demanded to see her.
She eventually came out, but she said she would not issue any licences.She eventually came out, but she said she would not issue any licences.
"Under whose authority?" she was asked. "Under God's authority," she said."Under whose authority?" she was asked. "Under God's authority," she said.
Dozens of reporters and activists, both supporters and opponents of gay marriage, filled the waiting area of the Rowan County clerk's office, alternatively chanting "do your job" and "stand firm".Dozens of reporters and activists, both supporters and opponents of gay marriage, filled the waiting area of the Rowan County clerk's office, alternatively chanting "do your job" and "stand firm".
One of the men seeking a licence, David Ermold, said he and his partner would not leave the office until they were married.One of the men seeking a licence, David Ermold, said he and his partner would not leave the office until they were married.
"Then you're going to have a long day," Ms Davis replied."Then you're going to have a long day," Ms Davis replied.
Since the court legalised gay marriage nationwide two months ago, Ms Davis has refused to issue any marriage licences to anyone.Since the court legalised gay marriage nationwide two months ago, Ms Davis has refused to issue any marriage licences to anyone.
The American Civil Liberties Union sued her on behalf of two gay couples and two heterosexual couples.The American Civil Liberties Union sued her on behalf of two gay couples and two heterosexual couples.
In making its ruling on Monday, the Supreme Court also denied her request for a stay while she pursues an appeal.In making its ruling on Monday, the Supreme Court also denied her request for a stay while she pursues an appeal.