Kentucky County Clerk Refuses Marriage Licenses, Sparking Protests

Protesters swarmed the Morehead, Kentucky, office of Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis Tuesday after she ceased awarding marriage licenses, a response to last week's landmark marriage-equality ruling by the Supreme Court.

"It is my deep conviction and belief that God ordained marriage between a man and a woman. I can't be a part of this," Davis told WKYT, a local CBS affiliate. On Tuesday morning, Davis turned away a lesbian couple seeking a marriage license after being together for 11 years, WBTV reports.

Two opposite-sex couples have also been turned away from since Friday afternoon.

Rainbow pride flags could be seen flying outside the courthouse alongside signs with messages calling for the county clerk to issue the licenses. Others showed up to voice support for Davis.

Davis joins a growing list of public officials resisting a Supreme Court ruling Friday that granted the right of marriage to same-sex couples. The ruling, which became effective immediately nationwide, has brought jubilation to the LGBT community and consternation to Christian groups.

Some conservative state officials have flauted the law, citing religious freedom concerns. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal sent a memo Monday expressing support for officials who refuse to grant same-sex marriage licenses. In May, Jindal issued an executive order granting special exceptions to public servants who deny marriage licenses as a matter of faith. Civil-rights groups have challenged that order in court.

Meanwhile in Texas, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton has stood by his Sunday announcement encouraging officials who have religious qualms to refuse same-sex marriages.

The Supreme Court ruling makes it illegal for public officials to refuse same-sex couples the right to marry. Clergy, however, are not required to perform any marriages they find objectionable on religious grounds.