Marriage is hard, it is often said, but who ever could have imagined simply obtaining a license could be so difficult? Overcoming a week of Kim Davis Christian right drama, William Smith Jr. and James Yates were the first to receive a marriage license Friday in Rowan County.
So it came as little surprise the long-term couple were emotional after the moral and legal victory that involved five previous attempts to achieve what was rightfully theirs. The two paid the $35 fee and then embraced and cried with relief alongside family and friends.
Deputy clerk Brian Mason seemed to lack his boss’s qualms as he issued the license, smiling, congratulated the men, and shaking their hands.
“This means at least for this area that civil rights are civil rights and they are not subject to belief,” declared Yates.
Not everyone agreed. Kim Davis’s fourth husband held up a sigh declaring “Welcome to Sodom and Gomorrah” as street preachers predicted hell for men unless they repented immediately. Yates and Smith, meanwhile, were planning a happier future: Choosing a wedding date at the house of Yates’ mom and planning a modest ceremony and honeymoon.
Of Kim Davis, Yates expressed no animosity: “I just want the licenses given out. I don’t want her in jail. No one wanted her in jail.”
Except, apparently, Mrs. Davis herself.
Related: The Best Kim Davis Memes (So Far)
Peter Papallo
Congrats guys
jerzyguy
Sad what they had to go through what every one else takes for granted because of a bigot.
Even sadder is that davis is now elevated to martyr status and is the face for discrimination and bigotry in the name of jeebus….
Sidney Davies
congratulations!
Jon Mackey
Congratulations
Anthony Homer-Maude
Finally…. congratulations ð???
Alford S. Sean
I just pray their licenses are real in a article by her attorneys at the press conference today they stated that if her signature is not on the licenses they are not worth the paper they are printed on????
Xzamilio
I don’t want her in jail either… but I don’t care that she is because she put herself there. All she had to do was either fulfill her job obligations, designate someone else to do it, or quit. For once, religion had nothing to do with it. She used her personal religion to not do her job and defy federal orders, and the federal court used her not doing her job to hold her in contempt of court. Martyr my ass… she’s in jail because she’s a bigot, not because she’s a Christian.
Martin RJ
Congratulations guys.All the best wishes.
GG
From the Associated Press: “Kentucky clerk [Kim Davis] asserts that the marriage licenses issued Friday to gay couples in Rowan County are void because she didn’t authorize them, her attorney said.
“[However] The county attorney and lawyers for the gay couples said they are legal and valid despite the lack of a signature.”
1) Her “void” claim is baseless. Here’s why: Did the couple walk away with a marriage license? Yes! And (here’s the important one) did the clerk’s office receive the required $35 fee, and did they accept the fee? YES!
2) Moreover, the fact that she is claiming the licenses are void is HUGE. Why? Because up to this point, she has based her refusal to issue licenses on her so-called religious beliefs. Let me state that again: Up to this point, she has based her refusal to issue licenses on HER so-called religious beliefs. [Emphasis supplied.] Meaning that SHE couldn’t bring HERSELF to sign the licenses. Now it has become very clear through this latest maneuver that she doesn’t want gay couples to receive valid licenses through her office at all, EVEN WHEN SHE IS NOT INVOLVED.
And that is the proof that bigotry, not religion, motivates her. And that is why she will not win in court.
crowebobby
” No one wanted her in jail.” Wrong! I want her in jail and I want her in jail for all the weeks she’s been in contempt of court and humiliating people for not living according to her religious convictions, not just until she decides to say “uncle.”
Gene Upshaw
She did not appoint herself GOD. She confused her religious beliefs with her job description and decided to break the law.
Danelle Anderson Cunningham
Congratulations to the wonderful couple. Way to stand firm!
bottom250
awww so beautiful. I am in tears for them.
youarekiddingme
@GG: Also, in the Clerk’s “absence” (or confinement in jail) the deputy county clerks are fully empowered to issue marriage licenses. Her orders not to are illegal…stated by the court.
youarekiddingme
@youarekiddingme: That is: Her orders are illegal…
Curty
This woman. Davis is a selfish, evil dumb witch… idiot wanted to go to jail apparently. Dumbass.
Mandrake
I have not seen this question answered anywhere regarding Kim Davis. Of all the Town Clerks in the United States, is Kim Davis the ONLY one to rebel against the SCOTUS ruling??? Seems very odd. If she is, I’d say the Gay Marriage ruling is being accepted at a very high degree.
Keebler ILF
I wonder how they would feel (in the future) if it WAS Kim Davis’ name on their marriage
license? Would they look back on it as a painful memory, or a great victory?
I don’t think I’d want that witch’s name on my license.
youarekiddingme
@Mandrake:
There are two other biggoted assholes that I’m aware of (both in Kentucky…duh).
Casey Davis (no relation)–Casey County Clerk
Kay Schwartz–Whitley County
There’s never a shortage of imbiciles!
woohoo
To be legally married in any county within Kentucky, you need a marriage license. Here’s how to apply for a marriage license in Rowan County:
ID Requirement in Rowan County:
Picture id such as Drivers License. Having your Social Security card, Birth Certificate, etc. may be helpful.
Residency Requirement:
You do not have to be a resident of Rowan County.
Previous Marriages:
Rowan County will require documentation to prove a previous marriage has been dissolved either through death or divorce.
Covenant Marriage Option:
No.
Waiting Period:
There is no waiting period in Rowan County.
How Much a Marriage License Cost in Rowan County:
The fees to get married in Rowan County are $35.50 – $37.00 approximately. Fee may vary from county to county. Cash, Certified Check, Cashier’s Check, or Money Order.
Other Tests:
None.
What a great Idea , everyone go to rowen county to get married !!!!
Kim Davis just started a marriage destination
woohoo
@GG:
GG is spot on with your comment !!!!
she could be personally sued
Jim DelRae
Is it bad that I am Soooo over this story..
Ronnie Conway
Congratulations!!!!!
Lisbeth Solis
Best wishes, guys!
Jay A. Scaramazzo
Eric Carr
Congratulations!!
Brent Case
It is about time!
Jack Anthony Owen
CONGRATULATIONS Yall really deserve it!
Gordon Karpen
Bravo!?