ASHLAND, Ky.—A federal judge Thursday declared a Kentucky county clerk who opposes same-sex unions on religious grounds in contempt of court for defying his order to issue marriage licenses—and sent her to jail until she complies.

Kim Davis, the Rowan County clerk, had unsuccessfully appealed all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court to delay an order by the judge that she issue marriage licenses to all qualified couples, gay or straight.

"The court does not do this lightly," said U.S. District Judge David Bunning of the Eastern District of Kentucky. But "it's necessary in this case."

He said Ms. Davis had made clear that she would continue to violate his order and that imposing fines on her would be insufficient to force her to comply.

Judge Bunning said that failing to take action against Ms. Davis would set a "dangerous precedent." It would allow other people to assume they could pick and choose which court orders they would follow.

"Thank you, Judge," Ms. Davis said as she was escorted from the courtroom by U.S. Marshals.

Write to Arian Campo-Flores at arian.campo-flores@wsj.com

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(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 03, 2015 14:25 ET (18:25 GMT)