I lived in Rowan county for over 11 years, worked there, studied there, met the most amazing friends, many LGBT, there. Some of the best times of my life were lived in Rowan county, and seeing all this and knowing that it very easily could have been me denied a license puts this all in a very personal perspective.
I'm glad we are winning, I've wanted this my whole life. But I can't help but see some storm clouds on the Horizon, which we need to prepare for.
Let me elaborate below... and talk me down.
The governor of Ky, has avoided this skirmish as much as possible. Defending the ban on same sex marriage initially in court to the tune of 2.3 Million, ignoring these clerks essentially after telling them he expects them to do their job, letting it drag out longer & longer....
Now it finally comes to this, official misconduct charge against the clerk, going to the Kentucky Attorney General's office after months of saga....
Gubernatorial hopeful & Democrat Jack Conway's office.
Now, I don't think I need to tell you that anti-equality folks aren't the sharpest bulbs. I've seen them blame everyone & Obama for us evil gays being able to marry here now. The comments on such Facebook threads as WYMT (eastern Ky) and WKYT (central Ky.) would blow your mind with all the hate & blame. Where is this blame going to go next?
Gubernatorial hopeful & Democrat Jack Conway's office.
I think you have probably figured out where the clouds I'm seeing are coming. Our state, our Governor's response to this, seems to have punted the political football in Conway's lap, and I fear it will lead to a Republican Governor with a hard nosed anti-LGBT agenda to appeal to the majority population here still against gay Marriage. Conway is already voicing support for alternative proposals around the issue, like removing clerks names from marriage licenses....
"...LOUISVILLE — Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jack Conway said Friday he is "fine" with a proposal this week by the Kentucky County Clerks' Association to remove the names of clerks from marriage licenses.
..snip..
Lewis said the clerks' association proposes keeping the county and county seat listed on the license but removing the name of the person who issues the license. He said the association's officials have met with the state Department for Libraries and Archives, which produces the licenses, about the proposed change.
Conway's opponent in the Nov. 3 election for governor, Republican gubernatorial nominee Matt Bevin, has said licenses should be available online and signed by any person authorized to perform marriages..."
A pretty way for bigots to keep their jobs I suppose...
I don't think the Governor's response, this state's response, has done us any favors in this upcoming election. Even if he takes this side road, allowing these clerks to keep their positions after violating the rights of others, I think this is all going to be used to harm Conway's chances. Something we need to be ready for.
Or maybe I'm wrong, too pessimistic without my morning coffee.