Even as Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis
claims that she's denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples "under God's authority," most county clerks—including those in the South—are following the law,
reports Greg Sargent.
Freedom to Marry, the gay advocacy group, has been closely tracking implementation of the gay marriage ruling in counties across the country, particularly in the south. The group provided me with a rundown of the state of play:
In Alabama, there are 67 counties. 54 counties are issuing licenses to everyone.
In Kentucky, there are 120 counties. 118 counties are issuing to everyone.
In Tennessee, there are 95 counties. All are issuing licenses.
In Mississippi, there 82 counties. All are issuing licenses.
There are 64 parishes in Louisiana. All are issuing licenses.
In Georgia, there are 159 counties. All are issuing licenses.
In Texas, there are 254 counties. All are issuing licenses.
Before the June Supreme Court ruling, 14 states still weren't allowing same-sex couples to marry (that includes Alabama, which was defying the order of a federal judge). The seven above formed part of that contingent and Freedom to Marry reports that the other seven—North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Michigan and Ohio—are now in full compliance.
Even in Kentucky, 98 percent of the counties are issuing marriage licenses—it's not perfect but it suggests just how far out of step Davis is with the rest of the nation. She must be getting different information on her hotline to God.