MOREHEAD, KENTUCKY — Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis was sequestered in her back office with the blinds drawn on Wednesday, one day before she was scheduled to appear before a federal judge to face a complaint that she is in contempt of court for not issuing marriage licenses.

But while Davis was mostly hidden, locals who support and oppose her faced off on the front lawn.



Many residents of the 7,000-person city of Morehead wanted to share their opinions about Davis with BuzzFeed News — though several declined to be quoted because they feared backlash from zealous neighbors. One common sentiment: While it is understandable for a person to oppose same-sex marriage in this small county on the lip of the Bible Belt, a clerk who ran for office should perform the job's duties or resign.

Citing her religious objections to same-sex couples marrying, Davis has refused to issue marriage licenses to anyone since the Supreme Court ruled for marriage equality in June — even though a federal judge ordered her to do so in August and her attempts to keep that order on hold while she appeals have all been rejected. While this has gained Davis national attention, locals are still among the most enthusiastic about defending and condemning her.

BuzzFeed News talked to several of them.