Gay Marriage Licenses In Kentucky Must Be Issued, U.S. Supreme Court Rules Against County Clerk's Same-Sex Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled against a Kentucky county clerk who argued that she had the right to deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples, citing her religion, reported the Associated Press.

In June, the Supreme Court ruled that the constitution guarantees gay people the right to marry, but Rowan County clerk Kim Davis believed the court should intervene because the First Amendment gives her the right of religious freedom. Davis has refused to issue marriage licenses since gay marriage became legal nationwide.

Two gay and two heterosexual couples sued Davis, resulting in a federal judge ordering her to issue the licenses. An appeals court also upheld that decision, but the clerk's lawyers proceeded to petition the Supreme Court Friday.

"She's going to have to think and pray about her decision overnight. She certainly understands the consequences either way," Mat Staver, founder of the law firm representing Davis, said Monday. "She'll report to work tomorrow, and face whatever she has to face."