Earlier today, Casey County Clerk Casey Davis left a one-on-one meeting with the Governor of Kentucky, Democrat Steve Beshear, who advised the county clerk to do his job, issue marriage licenses to all couples regardless of gender – or resign.
Davis says he is refusing to issue licenses to same-sex couples, and is refusing to resign.
Governor Beshear has issued this statement regarding the meeting:
This morning, I advised Mr. Davis that I respect his right to his own personal beliefs regarding same-sex marriages.Davis has also asked that same-sex couples be allowed to obtain their marriage licenses online so he doesn't have to deal with them.
However, when he was elected, he took a constitutional oath to uphold the United States Constitution. According to the United States Supreme Court, the Constitution now requires that governmental officials in Kentucky and elsewhere must recognize same-sex marriages as valid and allow them to take place. One of Mr. Davis’ duties as county court clerk is to issue marriage licenses, and the Supreme Court now says that the United States Constitution requires those marriage licenses to be issued regardless of gender. Mr. Davis’ own county attorney has advised him that his oath requires him to do so.
A group of county clerks has asked the governor to call a special session of the state legislature to address the issue of same-sex marriage.
Gov. Bashear has already said he has no plans to spend hundred of thousands of tax payer dollars on a special session about what is now settled law.
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