Summary: Roman County Clerk loses her appeal and must issue marriage licenses to gay couples because it is her job as a public official.
Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis is in the wrong job. When you work for the government, you must stay impartial and uphold its laws no matter what your personal beliefs may be. If Davis is uncomfortable with that, she may want to try being an employee of her church where her religious beliefs are protected.
The U.S. Supreme Court has the leading authority of the country, despite not being elected by the public. They decided around two months ago that same-sex couples have the right to marry in every state. This translates to mean that county clerks and other officials must give eligible same-sex couples a marriage license.
Davis, represented by The Liberty Counsel, had asked for a request for a stay until the case can be seen by the highest authority. They are seeking for a clarification as to if Davis must personally be the one to issue the licenses or if another employee can provide that service. Mat Staver, founder and chairman of The Liberty Counsel, is concerned that “individuals within a government agency don’t have any independent constitutional rights.” He continues that they shouldn’t “lose their constitutional or statutory rights by virtue of working in a public office.”
One would hope that the Supreme Court will not force people to choose between abandoning their beliefs or losing their job and can instead find a middle group that makes everyone happy.
Photo: wmky.org