Supreme Court rules against clerk in gay marriage case

Timothy D. Easley / AP

In this July 20, 2015, photo, Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis, right, walks with her attorney Roger Gannam into the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in Covington, Ky. The Rowan County Clerk’s Office turned away gay couples who sought marriage licenses Thursday, Aug. 13, defying a federal judge’s order that said Christian beliefs don’t excuse officials from following the law.

By Claire Galofaro, Associated Press

Monday, Aug. 31, 2015 | 4:52 p.m.

MOREHEAD, Ky. — The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against a Kentucky county clerk who says her Christian faith should exempt her from having to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

The Supreme Court on Monday denied Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis' request for a stay while she pursues an appeal.

In the two months since the court legalized gay marriage, Davis has refused to issue any marriage licenses. Four couples sued her and the Supreme Court's rejection marks the end of her legal options to refuse.

It's not clear exactly what she will do when her office opens Tuesday. Her attorney has said she will pray about it overnight.

The couples' attorneys might now ask a federal judge to hold her in contempt of court if she continues to refuse to issue the licenses. A contempt order could carry steep fines or jail time.