Judge orders governor to address altered marriage licenses

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear was ordered to address modified marriage certificates from Rowan County. (Official photo)

Lexington, Ky. (AP) — A federal judge has ordered Kentucky's Democratic governor to weigh in on whether altered marriage licenses issued by Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis' office are valid.

Davis opposes same-sex marriage for religious reasons. She spent five days in jail for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in defiance of a federal court order. When she got out of jail, she changed the licenses to remove her name and to say they were issued under the authority of a federal judge.

The American Civil Liberties Union questioned the validity of the licenses and asked Bunning to order Davis to reissue them. Beshear spokesman Terry Sebastian said Wednesday that the state has recognized the licenses as valid. Sebastian said Beshear will file a response and abide by the court's decision.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The Gayly – October 15, 2015 @ 6:30am.