Kim Davis Can Remove Name from Gay Marriage Licenses

A federal district court judge has ruled that marriage licenses issued without Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis' name on them are still valid.

U.S. District Court Judge David Bunning said Tuesday that the Kentucky clerk's refusal to put her name on a marriage license does not prohibit gay couples from marrying.

Davis sparked national controversy when she was jailed for five days last September for her stance on same-sex marriage. Homosexual and heterosexual couples sued her for refusing to issue licenses to them.

When Davis was allowed to return to work she removed her name from all gay marriage licenses.

"There was every reason to believe that any altered licenses...would be recognized under Kentucky law," Judge Bunning said, according to ABC News.

Ria Mar, the attorney who represented the couples suing, said Bunning's ruling cannot be appealed.

The Kentucky attorney general also said that the gay marriage licenses are valid without Davis' name, preventing her from facing future contempt citations.

Recently elected Gov. Matt Blevin has said that county clerks do not have to compromise their religious convictions and may remove their names from marriage licenses.