On Monday, the United States Supreme Court denied a request by a Kentucky county clerk to stay same-sex marriages after she refused to issue licenses to same-sex couples because of her religious objections.
Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis had refused to issue any marriage licenses to same-sex couples since the Supreme Court's landmark ruling on the issue in June, claiming that doing so would violate her religious beliefs. She even went so far as to sue the state to fight for her right of refusal.
ALERT: Supreme Court rejects Kentucky gay marriage case, clerk must issue licenses despite religion. Kim Davis must now do her job.— Aaron Ellis (@aaronellis01) August 31, 2015
While turning down requests, Davis' lawyers told same-sex couples in the county that they could simply get a marriage license in a neighboring jurisdiction. She was one of a handful of hold-outs across the country.
Four couples have since filed lawsuits against Davis but the Supreme Court ruling means the clerk is out of legal options. It's not clear exactly what she will do when her office opens Tuesday but her attorney has said she will pray about it overnight.
On Saturday, Davis' office closed ahead of a rally protesting her refusal to issue the licenses.
One same-sex couple recorded their attempt to obtain a marriage license in Rowan County and posted it to YouTube. In the video, they say they were again rebuffed in mid-August when making another attempt.
If Davis continues to refuse requests for same-sex marriage licenses, she could be held in contempt of court, which is punishable by jail time or hefty fines. State officials have already begun a process that could eventually remove her from her post.
It'll be interesting to see what happens when same-sex couples try to get marriage licenses in Rowan Co, Kentucky tomorrow.— Jen Connic (@jenconnic) August 31, 2015
Additional reporting by the Associated Press