WILLIAM SMITH JR and James Yates became the first gay couple to receive a marriage licence in Rowan county, Kentucky yesterday — hours after a clerk who had refused to issue it was thrown into prison.

Kim Davis had repeatedly resisted issuing the licences despite repeated court orders, saying she was doing so on “God’s authority.”

Federal judge David Bunning found her in contempt and ordered her arrest. She is thought likely to remain behind bars for at least a week.

The licence was handed to the couple by her deputy Brian Mason, but the controversy continued to rage in the state.

Protesters gathered in two crowds outside the clerk’s office — one cheering on the lucky couple while the other defended the jailed clerk, telling equal rights protesters they were “telling you the truth because [we] love you.”

The rights protesters shouted back: “Jesus loves everyone.”