A U.S. district judge on Tuesday ordered a Kentucky county clerk released after six days in jail for defying his orders to issue same-sex marriage licenses, saying he was satisfied the licenses were being issued in accordance with U.S. law.
The judge, David Bunning, lifted his contempt of court order against Kim Davis, 49, saying she “shall not interfere in any way, directly or indirectly, with the efforts of her deputy clerks to issue marriage licenses to all legally eligible couples.”
If she tries to interfere with the issuance of the licenses, “that will be considered a violation of this Order and appropriate sanctions will be considered,” Bunning said.
Bunning, in his written order, said he was satisfied the county clerk’s office was fulfilling its obligation to issue marriage licenses to legally eligible couples.
As an Apostolic Christian, Davis says she believes a marriage can only be between a man and a woman. She has refused to issue any marriage licenses since the U.S. Supreme Court in June made same-sex marriages legal across the United States.
Davis’ supporters gathered outside the Carter County Detention Center in Grayson, Kentucky, on Tuesday before the order was issued, sitting on beach chairs with beverage coolers and signs with religious messages.
A rally later in the afternoon was expected to include Republican presidential candidates Mike Huckabee and Ted Cruz.
Grayson schools canceled classes on Tuesday, worried about increased traffic from the rally coinciding with school dismissal.
(Writing by Daniel Bases; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)
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