Ky. Clerk Kim Davis Stands Ground, Refuses to Issue Marriage Licenses for Second Day

Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis again refused to issue marriage licenses on Tuesday from the Rowan County Court House, standing firm in her belief that issuing the licenses would conflict with her Christian belief in God.

Media outlets report that as of Tuesday, Davis was continuing to refuse to issue the licenses to gay couples who visited the courthouse. She was not, however, standing in the way of her deputies issuing the marriage licenses.

Davis stood in front of the courthouse on Monday to deliver an emotional statement regarding her refusal to issue the licenses, arguing that she was forced to make the "seemingly impossible" decision of choosing between her faith and her job.

"To affix my name or authoritative title on a certificate that authorizes marriage that conflicts with God's definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman violates my deeply held religious convictions and conscience," Davis said. "For me, this would be an act of disobedience to my God."

Davis was jailed earlier this month for refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples, as well as refusing to step down from her government-appointed position as county clerk.

The Christian clerk was subsequently released from jail and ordered by a district judge to avoid standing in the way of her clerks issuing marriage licenses to gay couples.

Davis's actions have received praise from some and criticism from others, with some arguing that as a government elected official, Davis should issue the licenses despite her religious beliefs. Others have argued that Davis's religious beliefs should be protected despite her place of employment.