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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWatch This Kentucky Clerk Refuse to Issue Marriage License to Same-Sex Couple
Despite the Supreme Court ruling that declared same-sex marriage legal in all fifty states, some people are still not on board with equality for all. Unfortunately, some of those people are in the position to issue or not issue marriage licenses. One such person is Kentuckys Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis, who was caught on video refusing to issue a same-sex couple of 17 years a marriage license because she was worried about her own soul.
David Ermold and his long-time partner David L. Moore had alerted the office at the end of June that they would be coming in to obtain their license in the county where they make their home and pay taxes, but they never heard back. When they went to the office in person this past Monday, they were met with an experience that has since gone viral. A friend filmed the couple on her phone being ignored by the office staff and eventually denied their license.
The video, which is on YouTube, currently has over a million views. By the end of the video, after they are finally seen after being passed over for people who arrived after them, the couple speak to a different employee who says the office was not issuing any licenses and that they supported Davis religious beliefs as a Christian to refuse.
Which is a real problem, because Ms. Davis works for the local government, and she is legally obligated to issue that license. If she was not a public but a private employee, we might be able to say shes being a jerk, but she would still have the right to refuse.
http://www.mediaite.com/online/watch-this-kentucky-clerk-refuse-to-issue-marriage-license-to-same-sex-couple/
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Hello ACLU?...We need help in bringing a suit...
HooptieWagon
(17,064 posts)Her tune will change quickly when she finds out she's personally liable for plaintiff's legal costs.
B Calm
(28,762 posts)Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)Ms. Kim Davis being perp-walked over to the county jail for her booking and mug shots.
Adrahil
(13,340 posts)But she can, and should, be fired.
The Govenor has said he will do that. Let's see if he does.
csziggy
(34,139 posts)The county will not cover her legal fees or any judgements against her. Now, there may be an out for her since she is not issuing any marriage licenses.
This DU post from jberryhill covers the law in this type of case:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026926765
Mentioned is that in Kentucky it is illegal for a government official to refuse to perform the duties of their job: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6927037
Law in Kentucky: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/statutes/statute.aspx?id=19888
tblue
(16,350 posts)Shame on those people. They should be fired and the dept. should be sued.
packman
(16,296 posts)Damn Christians in government buildings making it into their private chapels.
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)Freedumb of religious expression....
She's just exercisin' 'em.
d_r
(6,907 posts)seems to be there more to intimidate them than anything else. Also tried by the woman and man who are video ing them. Well, if that flip phone can video. I think the dude's hand written shirt says "I support Kim" the back says "sign the petition'