Watch: Disbelief and anger as county clerk defies court orders

Setting herself up as a martyr for her homophobic cause, Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis has again turned away same-sex couples who want to get married – in direct violation of the courts.

On Tuesday, Davis arrived for work at her Rowan County office as supporters and protesters gathered outside.

It was at that point unclear if she would ignore the US Supreme Court’s refusal on Monday to allow her to continue to not issue marriage licenses.

When faced with two gay couples who demanded that she provide them with the service, Davis refused, in full view of a throng of reporters and television cameras.

In a tense video posted by WKYT (see below), she said: “We are not issuing marriage licenses today.” When asked under whose authority she was doing this, she replied: “Under God’s authority.”

She told a furious David Moore and David Ermold, a same-sex couple of 17 years who’ve been turned away by her four times, to leave. They refused to do so. Despite shouts for her “to do your job,” Davis walked away to the back of the office.

She then returned and told the crowd that she was prepared to face the “consequences” of her actions before saying, “we’re done here.”

In response, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed motions with a Kentucky district court to hold Davis in contempt. She has been ordered to appear in court on Thursday to explain herself.

“The law is clear and the courts have spoken. The duty of public officials is to enforce the law, not place themselves above it,” said Steven R. Shapiro, Legal Director of the ACLU.

In a statement posted online, Davis – who’s been married four times – said: “I never imagined a day like this would come, where I would be asked to violate a central teaching of Scripture and of Jesus Himself regarding marriage.

“To issue a marriage license which conflicts with God’s definition of marriage, with my name affixed to the certificate, would violate my conscience. It is not a light issue for me. It is a Heaven or Hell decision. For me it is a decision of obedience,” she said.

It’s emerged that Davis cannot be fired because she is an elected official, although she can be impeached.

Citing her religious beliefs, Davis stopped issuing all marriage licenses in her county rather than be forced to recognise same-sex unions. This despite court orders that ruled that her personal views have no bearing on her obligation as a state official to follow the law. While her case remains on appeal she has been ordered to do her job until the matter is resolved.