Kentucky's Republican nominee for governor says the commonwealth should stop issuing marriage licenses.
Matt Bevin says in a news release that the government should get out of the marriage business altogether, saying two consenting adults should not need to ask for permission to enter into a contractual relationship.
In the meantime, Bevin says state officials should take steps to protect local officials who object to same-sex marriage for religious reasons.
At least two county clerks in Kentucky have stopped issuing marriage licenses after the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling legalizing same-sex marriage. The clerks say issuing a license to a same-sex couple violates their religious beliefs.
The American Civil Liberties Union has sued Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis over the issue, and a hearing is scheduled for Monday.
Bevin faces Democrat Jack Conway in the Kentucky governor's race.