• U.S.

Kentucky Governor Orders Clerk to Issue Marriage Licenses or Quit Job

1 minute read
County Clerk Casey Davis (C), with wife Christy Davis (R), speak to the media before a meeting with Gov. Steve Beshear in Frankfort, Ky., on July 9, 2015.
County Clerk Casey Davis (C), with wife Christy Davis (R), speak to the media before a meeting with Gov. Steve Beshear in Frankfort, Ky., on July 9, 2015.Pablo Alcala—Lexington Herald Leader via AP
By NBC News

A county clerk who refuses to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples for religious reasons said Thursday that Kentucky’s governor had ordered him to do his job or quit.

Casey Davis, one of three clerks in the state who is not granting licenses, held a meeting with Gov. Steve Beshear after last month’s ruling that upheld equal right to marriage across the country.

However, Beshear insisted clerks must carry out their duties and said the majority were “complying with the law” despite personal beliefs.

“‘Issue marriage licenses or resign’ — those were the words,” Davis told reporters after the meeting…

Read the rest of the story from our partners at NBC News

Read next: Kentucky Clerk Sued for Not Issuing Gay-Marriage Licenses

See Some of the First Gay Marriages in These States

US Supreme Court Gay Marriage Texas
George Harris, center left, 82, and Jack Evans, center right, 85, kiss after being married by Judge Garcia in Dallas on Friday, June 26, 2015.Tony Gutierrez—AP
Us Supreme Court Gay Marriage Michigan
Miesha Stinson, left, and Tiarra Harris, of Ypsilanti, Mich., embrace after exchanging vows in Ann Arbor, Mich., on June 26, 2015.Paul Sancya—AP
Same Sex Couples Newlyweds Gay Marriage Supreme Court
Jaque Roberts, left, and her partner of 31 years, Carmelita Cabello, right, arrive to apply for their marriage license at the Travis County building in Austin on June 26, 2015,.Eric Gay—AP
Same Sex Couples Newlyweds Gay Marriage Supreme Court
Ethan Fletcher, left, and Andrew Hickam fill out their marriage paperwork at Hamilton County Probate Court in Cincinnati on June 26, 2015.John Minchillo—AP
Same Sex Couples Newlyweds Gay Marriage Supreme Court
Emma Foulkes, left, and Petrina Bloodworth hold hands and show their wedding rings after being married at the Foulton County Courthouse in Atlanta on June 26, 2015.John Bazemore—AP
Same Sex Couples Newlyweds Gay Marriage Supreme Court
Tony Chiaro, left, and Earnie Matheson, right, embrace after exchanging vows in the first same sex marriage performed in Pulaski County, in Little Rock, Ark. on June 26, 2015.Brian Chilson—AP
Same Sex Couples Newlyweds Gay Marriage Supreme Court
Janelle Ebone, right, puts her arm around her partner, Christine, left, as she shows off their marriage license at the Travis County building in Austin on June 26, 2015.Eric Gay—AP
Same Sex Couples Newlyweds Gay Marriage Supreme Court
Beverly Reicks, right, and Kathy Petterson, the first same sex couple to wed in Omaha, Neb., leave the Douglas County Clerk's office on June 26, 2015.Nati Harnik—AP
Same Sex Couples Newlyweds Gay Marriage Supreme Court
Breanne Brodak, left, and Cortney Tucker kiss after being married by Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown in Pontiac, Mich. on June 26, 2015.Carlos Osorio—AP

More Must-Reads From TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com