Judge orders Kentucky clerk Kim Davis released

The Associated Press contributed to this report.


Update 1:12 p.m. ET:  The Kentucky county clerk who has refused to issue marriage licenses because of her religious beliefs will be released from jail, where she's been held since Thursday on a contempt of court charge.

U.S. District Judge David Bunning lifted the contempt order Tuesday and ordered Rowan County clerk Kim Davis released. Bunning ordered her not to interfere with the issuing of gay marriage licenses.

Bunning sent Davis to jail on Thursday after she refused to comply with his order that Davis issue marriage licenses. She had refused to grant licenses to any couples, gay or straight, since shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court effectively legalized gay marriage.

Outside the jail where Davis is held, word spread slowly through a crowd of supporters Tuesday afternoon. Some said they couldn't believe the news.

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Original post:  Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis will be getting some moral support as hundreds of people are planning to rally backing Davis and her stance against granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

A prominent name will be there in the form of presidential candidate and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, WKYT reported.

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Monday, Davis' attorneys filed an emergency motion to the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, asking Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear to allow for Davis' religious views and not make her issue the controversial marriage licenses.

No ruling has been handed down on the appeal.

Davis was jailed last week after being found in contempt of court after refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses. Deputy clerks issued the first same-sex licenses Friday.

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