Ky. Clerk Files Emergency Injunction to Leave Jail After Refusing to Issue Same-Sex Marriage Licenses

The Kentucky county clerk recently jailed for refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses has sought an emergency injunction that would allow her to leave jail.

Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis filed the emergency injunction through her lawyers at the Liberty Counsel, with the injunction requesting that Davis be exempt from the "governor's mandate that all county clerks issue marriage licenses."

"The governor's refusal to take elementary steps to protect religious liberties has now landed Kim Davis in jail," Mat Staver, Davis' attorney with the Liberty Counsel, said in a statement.

Davis was jailed last week after refusing to issue gay marriage licenses and refusing to resign from her position. The county clerk has argued that her Christian faith prevents her from being able to assist in the marrying of two gay people.

As Reuters reports, the emergency injunction request argues that Davis would be violating her conscience if she issued same-sex marriage licenses.

"As a prisoner of her conscience, Davis continues to request a simple accommodation and exemption from Governor Beshear, who is overseeing Kentucky marriage policy," the emergency request read.

Davis's husband has said his wife intends to stay in jail for as long as she needs to, adding that she doesn't not plan to resign or issue licenses to gay couples.