A group of Rowan County religious leaders descended on the Frankfort Capitol this morning demanding to see Kentucky’s governor Steve Beshear. According to the group, they wanted to discuss the “disruption in Morehead earlier this year following the same-sex marriage decision,” referring to county clerk Kim Davis and her refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
The group, an evangelical Christian organization called the “Family Foundation of Kentucky,” entered the Capitol building only to find the governor’s office empty — and staff members refusing to hear their demand to provide a “religious accommodation” for Davis and other clerks following in her footsteps.
From The New Civil Rights Movement:
The group did meet briefly with the governor’s chief of staff, but he only reiterated Governor Beshear’s position that Ms. Davis, and all the Kentucky clerks must issue marriage licenses to all qualified couples, including same-sex couples.
#KimDavis supporters arrive at Capitol to try to meet with Gov. Beshear. pic.twitter.com/xoiJJmmhNr
— Lawrence Smith (@LASmithReports) October 13, 2015
Terry Sebastian, the Communications Director for the Office of Governor Beshear gave this statement:
The Governor’s chief of staff, Larry Bond, met with a group of ministers today. The Governor’s office is always happy to meet with community leaders and citizens and hear their ideas. Mr. Bond reminded the group, however, that the legislature has placed the authority to issue marriage licenses on county clerks by statute, and the Governor has no legal authority to relieve them of their statutory duty by executive order. The General Assembly will convene in just 12 weeks and can make any statutory changes it deems necessary at that time. The Governor sees no need to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayers’ money calling a special session of the General Assembly when 117 of 120 county clerks are doing their jobs.
Reverend Randy Smith, who was acting as a spokesman for the group, told reporters that the FFK was disappointed that their demands were ignored, but they remained hopeful that the cold reception would galvanize Christians to continue their fight.
Featured image: Reverend Randy Smith, via LEX18
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