Official who refused to issue marriage licenses released from jail

A Kentucky county clerk who was jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples on grounds that it went against her religious beliefs was released Tuesday after five days behind bars on a contempt of court order.

U.S. District Judge David Bunning lifted the order against Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis, saying he was satisfied that her deputies were fulfilling their obligation to grant licenses to all eligible couples in her absence. But he warned her not to interfere any further.

She emerged Tuesday afternoon to hundreds of supporters outside the jail, who sang "Amazing Grace" and "God Bless America" as her lawyer spoke to the crowd.

Bunning sent Davis to jail on Thursday after she refused to comply with his order that she issue marriage licenses. She refused to grant licenses to any couples, gay or straight, since shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

She was released on the same day Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz was scheduled to meet with her. Another Republican presidential hopeful, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, previously announced plans to meet with Davis on Tuesday.

While Cruz and Huckabee have been vocal in their support for Davis, other Republican presidential candidates have tried to distance themselves from her. Gov. John Kasich said last week that as a government employee, she is required to follow the law. "She's not running a church," he said.

Jeb Bush has tried to find a middle position. Last week he said that Davis is "sworn to uphold the law" and that same-sex couples in Kentucky should be able to obtain marriage licenses.

“It seems to me that there ought to be common ground, there ought to be a big enough space for her to act on her conscience and for now that the law is the law of the land, for a gay couple to be married in whatever jurisdiction that is,” he said.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie suggested that Davis be placed a different government position instead of jailed for contempt. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul called the decision to jail her "absurd." He said that the law could be interpreted in a way that would accommodate both Davis and same-sex couples.

"I think there’s a lot of different ways around this that don’t lead to conflict, that lead more to more time where people can try to persuade others of their opinion on what marriage should be,” said Paul.

Al Jazeera and wire services