Kentucky Clerk Released from Jail
GRAYSON, Ky. (AP) - The Kentucky clerk who refuses to issue marriage licenses because of her religious beliefs about gay couples says "all has been well," after her release from jail on contempt charges.
Kim Davis smiled and appeared to be crying as she stood next to lawyer Mat Staver and GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.
Huckabee and fellow candidate Ted Cruz had planned jailhouse visits before Davis was ordered released.
During a rally Tuesday afternoon she told the crowd she wants to "give God the glory."
Rowan County clerk Kim Davis told the thousands gathered outside the jail Tuesday, shortly after her release on contempt of court charges: "Thank you all so much. I love you all so very much."
She also said: "I just want to give God the glory; his people have rallied, and you are a strong people."
She added: "Keep on pressing."
GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee also spoke at the rally and introduced Davis. She came out as the song "Eye of the Tiger" played, raising her arms to the sky. She spoke only briefly. Her husband also was there.
Davis' lawyer has refused to say when she'll return to work or whether she will obey a judge's order not to interfere with marriage licensing in her office. The judge who freed her ordered her not to interfere.
No Kentucky Special Session
In the wake of a defiant clerk's release from jail, Gov. Steve Beshear is reiterating that he won't call a special session for the Kentucky General Assembly to overhaul the state's process for licensing marriages.
Beshear's remarks came shortly after Rowan County clerk Kim Davis walked out of jail Tuesday. She spent several days behind bars over her refusal to issue marriage licenses. She cited her religious belief that gay marriage is a sin.
Her supporters have condemned Beshear's refusal. A handful of clerks sent letters this summer demanding he let the legislature remove clerks from the licensing process. Beshear called it a waste of taxpayer money. All but a handful of clerks have complied since the U.S. Supreme Court effectively legalized same-sex marriages nationwide.
Davis said in court last week that she hopes the legislature can come up with a solution. But on Tuesday, Beshear said it's time to move on.
He said: "We need to be thinking about so many things about the future of Kentucky."
Beshear and Davis are Democrats.