Kim Davis believes she took a religious stand against gay marriage, and she refused to give marriage licenses to gay couples in Kentucky. As a county clerk, that was her job. Since the Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage is now legal, Kim Davis knew that as a county clerk issuing marriage licenses, her religious beliefs may be impacted by her job. My question is WHY didn't this issue get dealt with BEFORE she started denying marriage licenses????
Other states have dealt with this by having those that work in the marriage license offices that are not opposed to gay marriage, be the individuals that issue those licenses. It appears to have been drawn out for drama, especially since they were able to assign her to a different department after the public display.
PHYSICAL
The location for this played out in Kentucky, and was distributed by many news channels. Additionally, people have taken to Facebook to either decry or praise Kim Davis for her actions. This news about her has been added to Twitter, and political candidates have attached their names to her cause. Also memes are popping up with comments both for and against her behavior too.
\PSYCHOLOGICAL
The impact has to do with the impasse. There is not a way for everyone to be content. The law is now in place and everyone has the legal right to marry whomever they choose. People opposed to gay marriage are not easily changing their minds. While those that are behind the equalization of gays to include marriage are equally set in their mindset. Both sides should be afforded their opinions. The happy medium is for people to work in jobs that don't require them to do something that is against their religious ideals.
SOCIAL
The Supreme Court has ruled that gay marriage is legal and the country is adjusting. There are growing pains as people learn how to accept the new reality. Back in the 1960s our nation had to adjust as the Civil Rights Movement brought about great change, and as the black community was able to integrate into the fabric of America. There was opposition from some while others more fully accepted the change. The same is true today. Now, gay marriage is a part of the American experience, and it is available for those that choose it for their lives. Some will continue to kick and scream and drag their feet, but that won't change the present. Gay marriage is here to stay.
CULTURAL
The underlying theme is a diversification of culture. Kim Davis and her supporters honestly feel that God abhors gay marriage. This is a strong belief, and because she was willing to go to jail rather than issue a marriage license to a gay couple she has endeared herself as a martyr for the cause.
Conversely, the LGBT community has finally been recognized as a legitimized entity, and to have the new privilege of marriage denied feels like a slap in the face. This has been a long battle for their organization. The governing body decreed that this is a right they have, but Kim Davis and others are not allowing it based on religion.
TEMPORAL
Gay marriage is like Obamacare. It is implemented, and it is not going away soon. The continued political support for the martyrdom of Kim Davis is going to keep this story alive for some time. The division of opinions between the sides of gay marriage and religious freedom is causing a gulf, where neither side is able to see eye to eye. If one side wins, then the other side loses.
CONCLUSION
Those that are fighting against it based on their belief in God are missing an important piece to God's puzzle. According to the Bible, one of the commandments is to Love one Another. It is God's place to judge and man's place to love. By denying someone something that is legally available to them is judging them. Kim Davis is free to have her religion and her opinion on gay marriage. She is also free to choose employment that doesn't conflict with her beliefs. This creates a win-win, judgement free scenario.
Good luck with that.
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