PUTNAM COUNTY CLERK SAYS RELIGIOUS BELIEFS WON’T STOP HIM DOING HIS JOB
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Kim Davis may be the most famous, or infamous, county clerk in the United States right now.
But she’s not the only one whose religious beliefs conflict with her job title.
In Putnam County, Tennessee, county clerk Wayne Nabors says same-sex marriage goes against his religious beliefs.
“I have to do the duties of the county clerk, as they are directed to me,” said Nabors. But he’s not letting that stop him from doing his job.
Since the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage, Nabors has stopped performing marriage ceremonies for any couples.
On the advice of legal staff, he decided he couldn’t continue performing ceremonies for straight couples while refusing same-sex couples.
“You’re all in or you’re all out. I’m not going to perform same-sex marriages. So I just decided to just stop totally and avoid any litigation.”
But Nabors has complied with the law and is issuing marriage licenses to any couples that qualify, including same-sex couples.
“I have a statutory authority and a job to do,” Nabors said.
So far, eight licenses have been issued to same-sex couples in Putnam County.