Kim Davis files appeal to continue denying same-sex marriage licences
Returns to work Monday after being released from jail last week for ignoring court ruling
A Kentucky county clerk who was recently jailed for denying same-sex couples marriage licences filed an appeal Friday that would allow her to continue blocking the licences.
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Kim Davis filed the motion with the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
Davis, the elected clerk for Rowan County, Ky., objects to same-sex marriage on religious grounds. She has said that as an Apostolic Christian, she believes it is a sin and refuses to violate her conscience by signing her name on the licences.
Davis argues that all the same-sex couples who sued her for a licence received one from her deputies while she was in jail, so her office should not be required to issue them to any more couples once she returns to work.
U.S. District Court Judge David Bunning wrote that his mandate to issue licences applied to all couples, not only those who filed lawsuits. But Davis's lawyers allege that order was issued improperly and again have asked for a delay.
Most officials across the U.S. have started to issue marriage licences to gay couples after the Supreme Court in June effectively legalized gay marriage nationwide. But Davis refused, was declared to be in contempt of court and jailed for five days.
The appeals court has already dismissed Davis's primary argument that her religious faith should exempt her from licensing a same-sex marriage.
If the court does not respond before Davis returns to work on Monday, she will have to choose whether to allow her office to continue issuing licences or again disobey the judge who already sent her to jail.