News (USA)

Arkansas clerk won’t issue licenses to same-sex couples

Arkansas clerk won’t issue licenses to same-sex couples
The Van Buren County Courthouse in Little Rock, Arkansas Valis55, Wikimedia

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. —– A county clerk in Arkansas says she won’t issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, despite warnings from the state’s governor and attorney general that public officials must comply with the U.S. Supreme Court legalizing gay marriage nationwide.

Van Buren County Clerk Pam Bradford said in an email sent to several state legislators and other county clerks Tuesday that neither she nor anyone in her office would issue any marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Bradford urged other clerks to join her in defying last month’s decision striking down gay marriage bans nationwide.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge have said clerks must issue licenses to any same-sex couples that request them. Another clerk resigned last month rather than issue the licenses.

Bradford did not immediately return messages Wednesday afternoon.

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