The plaintiff in the court case that led to the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage and the Kentucky county clerk who refused to sign same-sex marriage licenses will be guests at President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union address Tuesday.
Jim Obergefell of Cincinnati will be in First Lady Michelle Obama’s box during the address, the White House announced Sunday.
“Jim considers himself an accidental activist, one who became entwined in a political statement larger than himself – a statement of equality and dignity that Americans have been fighting for since this nation’s founding – and he now remains committed to ensuring the civil rights for all Americans,” the White House announcement said.
However, as the Washington Examiner reports, the Family Research Council has arranged for Kentucky Rowan County clerk Kim Davis and her attorney Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel to sit in the House audience. Davis sparked a religious liberty debate when she spent five nights in jail after refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses because it was against her Christian beliefs.
Davis ultimately received a religious accommodation via an executive order by newly elected Gov. Matt Bevin (R-KY).
In a recent interview on EWTN’s News Nightly, Davis said the stand she took against compromising her faith beliefs “affects every church, every person that lives and loves God, that holds the Word of God precious and dear and intimate in their lives.”
“I’m just the first of what’s going to be very many,” said Davis, as CNSNews.com reports. “You can rest assured of that. And it’s not if it happens, it’ll be when it happens. And maybe my stand will encourage others who will be in the same position.”
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