Another Kentucky Clerk Joins Kim Davis in Refusing To Issue Same-sex 'Marriage' Licenses
Whitley County clerk says she is issuing marriage licenses, but not to same-sex couples
WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT) - Kentucky has become a focal point in the debate over same-sex marriage, after Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis refused to issue marriage licenses following the June supreme court ruling legalizing gay marriage nationwide.
Casey County Clerk Casey Davis and Whitley County Clerk Kay Schwartz also stopped issuing marriage licenses because of their religious opposition to gay marriage.
Now, Schwartz says she is granting licenses to "bride and groom" couples - and claims she never stopped issuing them - but will not provide the same services to same-sex couples.
Schwartz was not interested in talking with us on camera about her office's policies on issuing marriage licenses.
Her deputies also refused to comment.
Off camera, Schwartz told us she still refuses to issue licenses to same-sex couples.
At a rally in her support in July, Schwartz told reporters while she opposes gay marriage, she would like the issue taken out of her hands.
"I would love to see it banned, but like I said, they have their right to their belief. I have my right to my belief. So whatever they can do to take it away from my office, then so be it," she said.
In a statement, Heather L. Weaver, Senior Staff Attorney for the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief said:
"Ms. Schwartz's plan to discriminate against same-sex couples blatantly violates the law. As a County Clerk, she must issue marriage licenses to all couples on equal terms. We are closely monitoring the situation.."
The key difference between Rowan County and Casey and Whitley counties is that neither of the latter clerks have been sued.
