Kentucky clerk Kim Davis jailed for refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses

Kim Davis
(Image credit: Ty Wright/Getty Images)

Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis, who defied the Supreme Court's order to issue same-sex marriage licenses, was jailed Thursday after she was found in contempt of court. Davis, citing her religious beliefs, stopped issuing marriage licenses — to any couples, gay or straight — in June after the Supreme Court ruled same-sex couples had the right to marry.

Lawyers for four spurned couples asked a judge to impose fines to force her to comply. Davis has previously said she was prepared to go to jail for her actions.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.