Mississippi Court Clerk Resigns Rather than Grant Gay Couples Marriage Licenses

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Jul 01, 2015

Mississippi Court Clerk Resigns Rather than Grant Gay Couples Marriage Licenses

A circuit clerk in Mississippi has decided to resign from her position rather than grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples. 

Linda Barnette of Grenada County has been the circuit clerk for 24 years, USA Today reports. She said that her resignation is effective immediately. 

She wrote, "The Supreme Court's decision violates my core values as a Christian. My final authority is the Bible. I cannot in all good conscience issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples under my name because the Bible clearly teaches that homosexuality is contrary to God's plan and purpose for marriage and family."

She continued, "I want to thank the citizens of Grenada County for giving me the honor of serving as their circuit clerk.”

"I choose to obey God rather than man.” 

Barnette is the wife of a pastor who worked with Billy Graham ministries for a number of years. 

Publication date: July 1, 2015



Mississippi Court Clerk Resigns Rather than Grant Gay Couples Marriage Licenses