First Gay Couple Can Marry in County Where Clerk Went to Jail

Ticker

Monika Bauerlein,
CEO

Dear Reader,

The next few months are make-or-break for Mother Jones’ fundraising, and we need more online readers to pitch in than have been of late. In "It's Not a Crisis. This Is the New Normal," we take a level-headed look at the brutal economics of journalism, why investigative reporting like you get from us matters, and why we're optimistic we can grow our base of support in a big way—starting with hitting a huge $300,000 goal in just three weeks. Please learn more and donate if you can right now.

The next few months are make-or-break for Mother Jones’ fundraising. We need to raise $300,000 quickly, and we need more online readers to pitch in than have been. Please learn more in "It's Not a Crisis. This Is the New Normal," where we go into the brutal economics of journalism, and what makes Mother Jones unique and worth supporting if you can right now.

On Friday, William Smith and James Yates became the first same-sex couple to be issued a marriage license in Rowan County, Kentucky.

BREAKING: William Smith and James Yates just obtained a marriage license from the Rowan County Clerk’s Office. pic.twitter.com/rBcxunFZxb

— Dominic Holden (@dominicholden) September 4, 2015

Video of first couple leaving the courthouse after getting their marriage license #wsaz #ky #kimdavis pic.twitter.com/bcAWGPJozq

— Taylor Eaton (@WSAZTaylorEaton) September 4, 2015

Since the Supreme Court’s historic decision invalidating gay marriage bans nationwide in June, county clerk Kim Davis has refused to issue licenses to gay couples citing her religious beliefs. Her continued refusal to do so finally landed her in jail yesterday, after a federal judge held her in contempt of law.

US District Judge David Bunning offered to release the defiant clerk if she promised not to prevent her deputies from processing same-sex couples. Five of the six deputies have agreed to do so. Davis’ son, a deputy clerk, was the only one to refuse.

Davis’ husband, who insisted his family’s opposition to same-sex marriages did not mean they “hate these people,” was reportedly seen outside the clerk’s office on Friday holding a sign, “Welcome to Sodom and Gomorrah.”

Smith and Yates’ license effectively ends the months-long showdown.