Since the U.S. Supreme Court decision two months ago that made it legal for gay couples to marry, it has divided the county somewhat and put religious choices for some in jeopardy. Among those effected in several states, including Kentucky, are county clerks, who are charged with issuing marriage licenses.

In Kentucky, some clerks, due to religious beliefs and convictions, have ceased issuing marriage licenses to any couples–gay or straight–because of the decision.

Currently, a federal judge has given Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis until next Monday, August 31 to begin issuing licenses or face possible sanctions.

Recently, the Family Foundation of Kentucky, headed by Ken Ostrander, organized a rally at the state capitol in Frankfort to draw attention to what many feel is the denial of religious freedom for county clerks who do not believe in issuing licenses to gay couple.

On Saturday, an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 Kentuckians gathered at the capitol for the Religious Freedom Rally in support of those aforementioned county clerks and what they say should be their right to deny issuing licenses.

Of those on hand at the rally was an estimated 250 people from Clinton County, according to Roger Owens, who along with his wife, Sherry, helped organize the effort for Clinton Countians to attend the event that was held this past Saturday morning, August 22.

Owens secured two buses from the King of Kings radio ministry in Somerset and about two hundred people rode the buses to the rally, plus several other individuals and families opted to drive to the event, which saw several individuals speak in support of religious freedom and back the county clerks.

Owens contended the event was not an “anti-gay” rally, saying even some of the speakers noted that homosexuals should have their rights and freedom of choice, but on the other hand, so should Christians. As one speaker at the event was quoted, “Clerk’s lives and Christian’s lives matter. Religious liberty matters. The inalienable rights of every single American matters.”

Owens said his primary focus on attending the rally was “to support the (county) clerks and the First Amendment rights.”

A large number of local residents who attended were part of local churches, as several pastors had announced to their congregations about the event. Owens said several local pastors from Clinton and neighboring counties were among those people who gathered for the event.

The rally for religious freedom also didn’t cross any political party lines much, as even though most in attendance were deemed to be “conservative” in nature, several Democrats were in attendance and some were also guest speakers. In fact, County Clerk Davis, of Rowan County, is herself a Democrat.

Owens said the ultimate goal of the rally was to change the law so county clerks don’t have to go against their religious beliefs. “I hope our state leaders are taking this serious,” he said, adding, “our leaders are not our employers, they are the employees of the people.”

Whether or not any changes to the current situation, in which the governor has ordered county clerks to issue licenses regardless of whether they want to or not, will change is yet to be seen.

Some suggestions as a way to resolve the question have been put forth, however, including urging the governor to sign an executive order that allows the clerks to refuse to issue licenses, making marriage licenses available online or appoint one person or branch in Frankfort to be responsible for issuing licenses to everyone in the state.

Another suggestion was also a possible law to prohibit actions from being taken against clerks who refuse to issue licenses and simply allow gay couples who wish to get married to go to a county clerk in another county who does issue the documents.