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Kentucky official filmed refusing marriage licence to gay couple, despite Supreme Court ruling | Kentucky official filmed refusing marriage licence to gay couple, despite Supreme Court ruling |
(6 months later) | |
David Moore and David Ermold, who have been in a relationship for 17 years, attempted to get a marriage licence at the Rowan County Court House this week, which stands right in the heart of the American Bible belt. | David Moore and David Ermold, who have been in a relationship for 17 years, attempted to get a marriage licence at the Rowan County Court House this week, which stands right in the heart of the American Bible belt. |
The gay couple headed down to the administrative centre in the hope of being able to start their journey to becoming a happily married pair. But soon after arriving, it became apparent that there would be some delays to their plans of tying the knot. | The gay couple headed down to the administrative centre in the hope of being able to start their journey to becoming a happily married pair. But soon after arriving, it became apparent that there would be some delays to their plans of tying the knot. |
After waiting eight minutes to be seen, which is arguably a scandal in and of itself, the two men were told to get hold of their licence elsewhere. | After waiting eight minutes to be seen, which is arguably a scandal in and of itself, the two men were told to get hold of their licence elsewhere. |
“You can go to any other county to get your marriage licence… we’re just not doing it at this time, not even for other people,” they are told by a woman behind the counter, as the couple and their friend catch it on film. | “You can go to any other county to get your marriage licence… we’re just not doing it at this time, not even for other people,” they are told by a woman behind the counter, as the couple and their friend catch it on film. |
Ermold was apparently prepared for the refusal, having decided to show up with a copy of the recent Supreme Court decision, which ruled that there is a nationwide right to gay marriage. He also presents the assistant with a letter from the Governor of Kentucky’s office, which he explains states that “all the county clerks are to issue marriage licences.” | Ermold was apparently prepared for the refusal, having decided to show up with a copy of the recent Supreme Court decision, which ruled that there is a nationwide right to gay marriage. He also presents the assistant with a letter from the Governor of Kentucky’s office, which he explains states that “all the county clerks are to issue marriage licences.” |
Not persuaded by the law or her boss’s orders, the assistant’s decision appears to be final, stating "We have a right too as a Christian,” as the County Clerk and her team stood their ground. | Not persuaded by the law or her boss’s orders, the assistant’s decision appears to be final, stating "We have a right too as a Christian,” as the County Clerk and her team stood their ground. |
One member of the court’s team is heard threatening to call the police if they continue taping, and the camera is soon switched off. | One member of the court’s team is heard threatening to call the police if they continue taping, and the camera is soon switched off. |
It turns out Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis has been refusing to issue a license to anyone, gay or straight, and is currently facing legal action from at least four other couples | It turns out Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis has been refusing to issue a license to anyone, gay or straight, and is currently facing legal action from at least four other couples |
This comes just weeks after the United States Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage must be legalised in all 50 US states. | This comes just weeks after the United States Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage must be legalised in all 50 US states. |
But Davis has defended her decision to refuse same sex marriage licences, telling AP: “It’s a deep-rooted conviction; my conscience won’t allow me to do that. | |
“It goes against everything I hold dear, everything sacred in my life.” | “It goes against everything I hold dear, everything sacred in my life.” |
Both Moore and Ermold however, are frustrated by the discrimination they’ve experienced. | Both Moore and Ermold however, are frustrated by the discrimination they’ve experienced. |
“We’ve been together for 17 years. We feel that it’s our right as citizens, according to the Supreme Court, that we should be able to get married.” | “We’ve been together for 17 years. We feel that it’s our right as citizens, according to the Supreme Court, that we should be able to get married.” |
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