MOREHEAD, Ky. — A Kentucky clerk's office Thursday again refused to issue a marriage license to a gay couple, in defiance of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage across the country two months ago.
Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis has refused to issue any marriage licenses, citing her Christian faith and constitutional right to religious freedom, since the landmark decision in June.
On Thursday morning, a deputy clerk in her office refused to issue a marriage license to William Smith Jr. and James Yates. It was their third attempt to get a license.
They said they will not give up.
"They just don't like gay people; they don't want us to get married," Yates said. "And they'd rather burn the earth and not let straight people in Rowan County get married either."
The action Thursday came a day after a federal appeals court upheld a ruling ordering the clerk in rural Rowan County to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Later Thursday, Davis temporarily closed her office.
A note taped to the doors of Davis' office said: "sorry our office is closed for computer upgrades. ETA 1 hour."
Davis and an entourage of deputy clerks walked out of the office and drove away. She declined to comment.
As she left, gay rights activists shouted at her.
Read Friday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.