Lesbian couple who sued Kim Davis: 'This is about civil rights, not religious freedom'

MOREHEAD, Ky. (WDRB) -- One of four same-sex couples who sued Rowan County Circuit Court Clerk Kim Davis over her refusal to issue marriage licenses were the third couple to receive a marriage license on Friday afternoon.

April Miller and Karen Roberts, who have been together eleven years and were previously denied a marriage license three times over the past two months, walked out of the courthouse around noon with the license in their hands.

"We got a license!" Miller proudly shouted to a crowd of supporters -- many of whom are students at Morehead State University, where she is a tenured professor.

When asked if they feel like heroes for standing up to Davis, the couple immediately said no.

"I am trying to prove that I have the civil right to get married just like every other couple in the entire United States," Miller said.

"There is, absolutely, a right to religious freedom...to practice your faith," she said. "But to have it come to the point in which a government office doesn't issue a marriage license and blocks the civil rights of people...these clerks must put the law first."

Miller said: "This is about civil rights, not religious freedom."

The couple spoke as Davis -- who has cited her Christian faith and constitutional right to religious freedom -- sat in a jail cell for the second day in nearby Carter County for failing to comply with a federal judge's order to issue the licenses.

"We feel sorry for Kim Davis," Roberts said. "But this was never about her."

Miller said she would have liked to walk into the courthouse and walk out with a marriage license "without anyone noticing."

"That's the goal is for everyone in this nation -- to freely go into the courthouse and not have to fight, deal with media and protesters," she said. "It's been rough."

Miller and Roberts plan to get married in a small, private ceremony within the next few weeks and then later hope a celebration with friends who have supported them.

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