Rowan County (Ky.) Clerk Kim Davis was released from the Carter County Detention Center Sept. 8—five days after she was held in contempt by a federal judge amid an escalating standoff over marriage licenses.
As a condition of her release, U.S. District Judge David Bunning ordered Davis not to interfere with her office's issuing of marriage licenses, The Washington Post reported.
On Aug. 31, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to not allow Davis to deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples because of her religious beliefs.
Davis (who is on her fourth marriage) had argued that her Christian faith prevented her from recognizing such marriages—and continued to deny licenses to all couples despite the high court's decision. After being jailed, she appealed that particular order.
At least three same-sex couples received licenses in Rowan County Sept. 4, with William Smith and James Yates being the first. Davis has said, however, that the licenses are not valid without her approval.
When asked if staying in jail was "worth it," she smiled and nodded her head.
William Sharp—legal director of the ACLU of Kentucky, which is representing plaintiffs in this case—said in a statement, "This case was brought to ensure that all residents of Rowan County, gay and straight, could obtain marriage licenses. That goal has been achieved.
"The Kentucky attorney general and counsel for Rowan County have said the marriage licenses are valid. We are relying on those representations, and our clients look forward to proceeding with their plans to marry."
The Washington Post article is at www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/09/08/judge-orders-kentucky-clerk-kim-davis-released-from-jail/ .
