Sept. 7, 2015
Alexander Nedd
[email protected]
All we wanted was equality.
All we want to do is get married.
And since same-sex marriage was legalized on June 26, the world has continued to turn. No one is going to die.
But it seems this act of equality is unthinkable for one county clerk in Kentucky. Kim Davis is refusing to grant marriage licenses based on her religious beliefs.
As Taylor Swift would say: “Now we’ve got PRAblems.”
I understand many are against same-sex marriage. It’s 2015, we are all entitled to our own opinions. But our differences become irreconcilable when your religious beliefs trump my given right as a citizen of the United States.
Church and state don’t mix, and it’s time they were separated.
Davis uses her Christian faith to support traditional marriage, one that bonds a woman and man together for life. Despite being on her fourth marriage, Davis used her biblical views to halt any marriage within her district.
On August 24, the Supreme Court denied her appeal and ordered her to begin issuing licenses to couples immediately.
She refused.
A video surfacing on the Internet depicted her discriminatory actions toward one gay couple after her request to appeal the decision was turned down.
“Under whose authority (are you told to not issue marriage licenses today)?” a person asked during the viral confrontation.
“Under God’s authority,” Davis replied.
This is past ridiculous. Nowhere in her job description does the state of Kentucky grant county clerks permission to deny marriage licenses based on religious beliefs. Not only that, it is now the law of the land. Same-sex marriage is legal. What Davis is doing, is not.
Austin Brownell, a sophomore studying math, has watched the video, which can be viewed online. (Search “Rowan County Clerk”).
“She has no good reason, she wouldn’t answer any questions, it’s just funny to me,” Brownell said. “It doesn’t make any sense, it’s legal in every state, she can’t do that.”
Wouldn’t we all be lucky to find someone we truly love and want to spend the rest of our lives with? Why does the sex of our partner suddenly make our commitment to one another an abomination?
Davis is wrong.
These couples have done nothing but find love and are trying to make that bond recognized in the state of Kentucky. This discrimination is the same as denying women the right to vote, or not serving blacks. Both of those were legal practices in the United States.
Eventually, we progressed.
On Sept. 2, Davis was held in contempt of court and jailed for her actions, an act I support 100 percent.
As a civil servant, you are required to do your work for the public. That is your job.
I hope Davis decides to follow the law and do it.