A county clerk in Kentucky has again refused to issue marriage licenses to gay couples, invoking her religious beliefs and “God’s authority” — this time in defiance of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling against her.
On Tuesday morning, Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis’ office denied the licenses to at least two couples. At first, Davis was in her office with the door closed and blinds drawn. But she emerged a few minutes later, telling the couples and the activists gathered there that her office is continuing to deny the licenses “under God’s authority.”
Davis asked David Moore and David Ermold, a couple who has been rejected four times by her office, to leave. They refused, surrounded by reporters and cameras.
“We’re not leaving until we have a license,” Ermold said.
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“Then you’re going to have a long day,” Davis told him.
From the back of the room, Davis’ supporters said: “Praise the Lord! … Stand your ground.”
Other activists shouted that Davis is a bigot and told her: “Do your job.”
Related: Supreme Court Rules Against Kentucky Anti-Marriage Equality Clerk Kim Davis
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to intervene in the case, leaving Davis no legal grounds to refuse to grant licenses to gay couples. A district judge could now hold her in contempt, which can carry steep fines or jail time.
Davis has steadfastly refused to issue the licenses, saying her deeply held Christian beliefs don’t let her endorse gay marriages.
Davis stopped issuing all marriage licenses in the days after U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage across the nation. Two gay couples and two straight couples sued her, arguing that she must fulfill her duties as an elected official despite her personal religious faith. A federal judge ordered her to issue the licenses, and an appeals court upheld that decision. Her lawyers with the Liberty Counsel filed a last-ditch appeal to the Supreme Court on Friday, asking that they grant her “asylum for her conscience.”
Justice Elena Kagan, who oversees the 6th district, referred Davis’ request to the full court, which denied the stay without comment.
On Tuesday morning, shortly after Davis’ remarks, the sheriff’s office cleared the county office of those gathered to support both sides of the issue.
The two groups lined up on either side of the courthouse entrance to chant at each other. Davis’ supporters told her to “stand firm,” while gay-rights activists shouted “do your job.”
The rejected couples’ supporters called the American Civil Liberties Union, which filed the lawsuit on their behalf. They asked that their attorneys file to have Davis held in contempt.
Randy Smith, leading the group supporting Davis, said he knows following their instruction to “stand firm” might mean Davis goes to jail.
“But at the end of the day, we have to stand before God, which has higher authority than the Supreme Court,” he said.
Ermold hugged Moore, his partner of 17 years, and they cried and swayed as they left the clerk’s office. Davis’ supporters marched by, chanting.
“I feel sad, I feel devastated,” Ermold said. “I feel like I’ve been humiliated on such a national level, I can’t even comprehend it.”
Watch video of Davis the Defiant in action below.
By CLARE GALOFARO /Associated Press
© 2015, Associated Press, All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daniel Leyva
Christopher Schapker
We all need to pray her that she looses her job
Crane Stephen Landis
God’s Law was Around at Your First Divorce Too…
Most might not realize that Kentucky’s Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis has been divorced at least twice*.
Court records indicate that Ms. Davis, married 1984, filed for divorce 10 years later, only to file for divorce a second time from her second husband in 2006.
The Bible isn’t overly kind about Divorce. In fact, when Christ mentions marriage as between a man and a woman – he is doing so in reference to the question of marriage (http://www1.cbn.com/questions/bible-says-about-divorce-and-remarriage):
“Haven’t you read that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?” So they are no longer two but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate” (Matthew 19:4-6*).
Essentially, even according to Christ, a couple should never be allowed to divorce simply because of incompatibility or lack of love.
So it’s incredible just how selectively conservative Christians read the Bible in pursuit of “Religious Liberty”.
Religious Liberty doesn’t mean you’re free to read the Bible as liberally as you want. Nor should it mean a twice (at least) divorced woman should have the power to deny others their Right under the law to get married.
It also means that neither Sharia Law or Biblical Law supersedes US Law. It’s that whole “Give Caesar what is due Caesar thing”. Sort of.
Which would be Christ telling you to quit basically.
*Some reports have her divorces at Four. U.S. News and World Report has Two http://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2015/08/17/reluctant-kentucky-clerk-gets-time-for-gay-marriage-appeal. But after the first, does it really matter to Christ?
Joseph Walker
Well… since she isn’t god… what authority does she have that’s she’s invoking?
Derrick Leo
Get this bitch off the job! FIRE HER ASS ALREADY!! She is not the top of the freakn law!!! Stupid bitch!!
Alford S. Sean
Isn’t it amazing that Big Kim Davis can get married four times, via her chosen man-made religious cult! She disgusts me on every level. Long grey hair, no makeup, & in a plus sized skirt tells me her chosen cult….yup snakes and chickens. Holiness??? NOT-
Great News:
Government Employees Have No â??Religious Freedomâ?? Right To Refuse Service To Same-Sex Couples, Says Americans United
Jul 8, 2015 â?? Clerks Must Issue Marriage Licenses To All Qualified Couples, Church-State Watchdog Says
Government employees who oppose marriage equality because of their religious beliefs are not entitled to refuse service to same-sex couples, Americans United for Separation of Church and State has informed officials in all 50 states today.
In a letter released today, which will be sent to all state attorneys general as well as county clerks in Texas and South Dakota, Americans United explains that with marriage equality now the law of the land, government employees do not have the right to opt out of serving gay couples, because doing so would harm those couples and violate their constitutional rights.
â??As Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the U.S. Supreme Courtâ??s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, there is dignity in marriage for all couples,â? said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. â??But government officials who refuse to serve same-sex couples are taking away that dignity.â?
The letter was prompted by a recent memo from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and a statement by South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, who suggested that government employees may be allowed a religious exemption from serving same-sex couples.
In its memo, Americans United says the Constitution makes no such allowance.
â??As with an interracial couple, imposing such burdens on a same-sex couple would burden, demean, and stigmatize the couple in a manner that violates the Constitution and other laws. Thus, allowing accommodations in these circumstances would subject government entities and officials to legal liability,â? asserts the AU document.
Said Americans United Senior Litigation Counsel Gregory M. Lipper: â??The Supreme Court meant what it said. Any same-sex couple denied service by a government official should contact Americans Unitedâ??s legal department. We stand ready to represent same-sex couples whose rights are violated on account of religion.â?
This action is part of Americans Unitedâ??s new project, Protect Thy Neighbor, which seeks to stop religious-based discrimination against LGBT persons and others.
The letter was written by Lipper with assistance from AU Associate Legal Director Alex J. Luchenitser, and Madison Fellows Zachary A. Dietert and Natacha Y. Lam. (Lam is admitted in New York only, and is supervised by Lipper.)
Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
https://au.org/media/press-releases/government-employees-have-no-religious-freedom-right-to-refuse-service-to-same
Marcus Pennington
Omg separation of church and state lady! You work for the state your church is separate from your job! Get a new job if you can’t/won’t because of your God. It is time to resurrect the founding fathers and have them beat some sense into these people.
Auryn Smith
You can’t fire her she’s an elected official. She will however have to pay done pretty hefty fines plus the lawsuit and jail time. Believe me, when the millions of dollars start racking up. Her supporters will drop off like flies.
Blake Baines
Barry Shatswell
Perhaps she should be removed due to mental instability. She must believe that she works in a church.
Jamie Weldrick
my god says kill her
Mark Woolard
God told me that she should be burned at the stakeâ?¦
Jim Thronberry
sadly our courts (judges that have ruled against her ) are continuing toallowing forced religion by this woman and other idiots like her People need to start raising hell that contempt of court charges have not been filed
Chris Duffy
Didn’t a guy named bin Laden do that once or twice, too? you’re in great company, lady.
Joshua Anthony Villegas
There seems to be some correlation between religious zealotry and cotton-stretch blends……
Cam
Funny how God’s Authority apparently only applies when it is a defense for hate, bigotry, and an excuse to attack others. But God’s authority didn’t prevent her from breaking every other rule in the Bible about divorce, adultry, women trying to influence others opinions, etc…
Thus isn’t about religion, if this was a fee decades ago she would be claiming she should have to give licenses to black people and using her religion as an excuse.
This is just your typical hateful, small town bigot who doesn’t want to do her job. Years ago, before cell phone cameras she would have gotten away with it
Scott Mitchell
God’s authority has nothing to do with bigotry. Her personal authority has everything to do with her refusal to follow Federal law. Her allegedly deeply held religious beliefs only apply to same-sex couples and not any of the other couples she should have, if she actually had deeply held religious beliefs, denied marriage licenses to in the past. Since she’s in contempt of court, she needs to be arrested. At that point, I believe a judge in the county is allowed to issue the marriage licenses since she is unable to perform the duties of her job.
Matthew Matula
Cody Mcflirty Zettl
Since she does not know how to do her job properly can they please fire her.
wagnerwallace
Stereotypical white trash…. The same people who came out in droves to support Prop 8 in 2008
Gary Hecklinger
Fire her once and for all!!!
Patrick C Arnone
Why is she still employed? I don’t get it. Fire her !
Ron Fowler
Now the State needs to do their job and remove her – this is stupid in that the Govenor is allowing this to continue as long as it has, even in direct violation of HIS order to issue licenses.
Lee Loving
Yeah, you can do that. However it is government authority that gave this job and taxpayer money that pays your bills.
Burt A Dunham
Tomas Leiva
Poor sad woman. She doesnt realize shes been used by conservatives as a martyr. She thinks they have got her back but at the end of the day she will end in jail for listening to them and they will keep using her for their own purposes.
Londale Foster
By Kim
Paul Delta
This bitch it’s basic. So tired of seeing her in my feed. NEXT.
Jesse Erickson
She probably won’t have a job for very long
Michael Woods
Only a governed employee can not do their job and stay employed!! Such a great place to work. Anywhere else, you’re fired on the spot now a days
John Outlaw
She should stop pissing God off!
Lestar
religion really did a number on civilization
Loyd Hawkins
Ms. Davis needs to have her butt hauled off to jail where she can sit and pray to her hearts content. Toss in a $1000 a day fine until she relents and either resigns or starts doing her job.
Patrick de Raaff
Just fire her already and be done with it.
Bobby French
Cunt-faced married-four-times dried-up-twat bitch.
Joseph Pasquino
Fire this bitch already
John Autore
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOpva_iit-8
Wil Chaney
Fire her wacky ass!
Peter Liberman
fire her ass for non-performance, you dont get to pick and choose which laws you abide by, why should she?
Michael Pelham
God’s Authority does not sign your paycheck. If you cannot fulfill your job description then you should be let go. Courts tell you to do your job and you still don’t…..CONTEMPT. What is the freaking problem?
Brian JC Kneeland
Time to be fired and then jailed for contempt of court!
Todd Freeman
I’d like to invoke my foot up her ass!
Jason Shirley
FIRE THE BITCH!
David W Hill
Attention whore
Paul Huber
Wow ! SCOTUS authority usurped by God. Looks like jail time is in someone’s future.
Daniel Salmeron
Guys, she can’t be fired. She has to be recalled or a special assembly of the ky legislature has to “impeach” her
Eugene Schnitger
How dare she presume to speak for God…
Jon Davis
I want to see her reaction to an open Wiccan couple… then we’ll really see the fireworks.
Robert Casey
Max Yelin
She’s on Christian crack … Oh I think the call it cranKKK
Robbie Tackleberry Walker
Is she doing a nazi salute?.
Jeanie Tucker Clift Viox
She was hired a long time before the law changed. It wasn’t in her job description. Because of her beliefs, which she is entitled to just the same as you are, I don’t think she would have taken the job. I think the county should find a different position for her. She shouldn’t be forced to go against her beliefs. That way the new law could be carried out. Problem solved.
F. Jay Ver
I hope she gets jail time.
Tony Divito
“Render upon Caesar that belongs to Caesar. Render upon God that belongs to God.” Matthew 12
Guido Habets
Betty Walker
She’s not special that god would be the final word to her, she is a false power hungry person enjoying all the publicity she’s getting from her perverse attention, she’s a bigot n not doing her job so put someone else in there to do the job she should be doing, tired of this lying obnoxious bigot, so we are paying her salary get rid of her she is a false profit n usurping gods job
Rocco Scutaro
She needs to be fu??ing fired already!!! This is ridiculous
Thom Phelps
This is what Jesus had to say about the law of the land. If marriage equality is the law then a rogue clerk is defying Jesus.
Matthew 22:15-22
15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. 16 And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, â??Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. 17 Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to give a poll-tax to Caesar, or not?â? 18 But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, â??Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the coin used for the poll-tax.â? And they brought Him a denarius. 20 And He *said to them, â??Whose likeness and inscription is this?â? 21 They *said to Him, â??Caesarâ??s.â? Then He *said to them, â??Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesarâ??s; and to God the things that are Godâ??s.â? 22 And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away.
Curty
What a selfish, ugly bitch! Please jail her ass, remove her from this office. This is unlawful and extremely selfish. Its time to get tougher on this woman. She is breaking the law!
Jessalyn Guess
how long will it take whoever is authority there to FIRE her? God doesn’t pay her paycheck. Go be a secretary at a church of narrow minded people or something.
Michael Feather
She’s not gonna be fired or impeached because now she’ll be arrested. I want to be excited about that but I know that the right wing are going to call her a martyr and use her to rally support for their cause.
Linda' Prout
Who is she to judge
1EqualityUSA
A steady diet of chicken-kickers n cinna-stix will do this to a gal.
Billy Budd
Bitch of the devil. She must be punished and left without money, without hope and without her God to help her.
Paul Mejia
Nickolas Page
well i hope gods authority lands her in prison for contempt and at the loseing end of law suits that bankrupt her and her entire family for being a bigot.
Michael Finnegan
Arrest this mad cow.
Ehren Zaun
She should go work for the church then.
Ed Chan
Then let her draw her salary from God instead of the Taxpayers.
Cam
@Jeanie Tucker Clift Viox: said…””She was hired a long time before the law changed. It wasn’t in her job description. Because of her beliefs, which she is entitled to just the same as you are, I don’t think she would have taken the job. I think the county should find a different position for her. She shouldn’t be forced to go against her beliefs. That way the new law could be carried out. Problem solved.”
____________________________
1. You said it wasn’t in her job description when she was hired. Actually it was. Part of her job description is to grant Marriage licenses in accordance with the law. The law changed, her opinions have no bearing on her job. If she worked for Microsoft and her job was to program updates for Windows 7, and then the company decided to stop supporting Windows 7, guess what, her opinion that they should still support Windows 7 is irrelevant.
2. The right wing bigots keep claiming that people are “Entitled to their beliefs”. That is code for rac-ism and bigotry because NOBODY is saying she isn’t entitled to them, what she is NOT entitled to, is to force everybody int he county to live THEIR lives according to HER opinions and beliefs, which is exactly what she is doing by not performing her job in a public office.
3. You think that the county should find a different job for her. No because she didn’t ask for that, she merely decided that the entire county had to live by her phony religious beliefs. (Yes Phony because if she actually believed in the Bible she would follow the OTHER rules in there, and not simply use it as an excuse to be a bigot.).
4. Speaking of her not following the Biblical rules, remember, Jesus specifically stated that if you divorce one spouse and marry another, you are committing adultery against the first. She is twice divorced, AND she has no problem providing marriage licenses for people who are divorced, adulterers, women who don’t cover their hair etc…. So in other words, there is not one Biblical Rule that she follows, she just brings up the Bible because she is a simple old bigot and needs an excuse to be one.
Oh and just to repeat, JESUS spoke out specifically against divorce, but said NOTHING about homosexuality. So why is it she completely ignores the words of Jesus, but the words of Saint Paul are so important to her? She is demonstrating quite specifically that Christ, and her religion are meaningless to her.
Jane Freeman
Hasn’t this weirdo been married 4 times????!!! If you are strict religious then what does her church think about divorce??? Hypocrite and asshole.
Teodor Ciprian
She needs to be held in contempt for her clothing she chooses alone.
mezzacanadese
I have but two words: FIRE HER!
Atomicrob
She’s become sort of like an annoying fly that won’t go away. This is al about her ego at this point. Someone needs to take stand and have her removed from that office.
paul dorian lord fredine
when god starts signing your paycheck, let us know. until then, DO YOUR DAMN JOB!!!!
C F
You know what would get quick results? If the Feds decide to withhold funding Kentucky and Kentucky based state programs with Federal taxpayer revenue.
Tom Remillard
Where does her God come into play. 1st amendment says we have rights above her God.
ryantbo
HOW does this woman still have a job?!! If I ever refused to do any part of any job I would have been shown the door. #FireHerAss
Mark Pilsnik
Since when are people allowed to hand around inside a public building for only one reason,that being harassing people?
Steve Watts
Citizens of Rowan county, Where are you???? Wake up,,,go to courthouse, call the Governor, stop letting narrow minded asshole in clerks office represent you
Realitycheck
@Jeanie Tucker Clift Viox: You forget Kim Davis sworn a oath to uphold the law of the land, there is no such a thing as “refusing because the law changed” her job “is” to follow to the letter USA law and all of its constant changes, if she cannot do her job she can resign.
Our country was NOT founded on religion, at the contrary we have a separation of state and church in the constitution for good reasons.
Charges for misconduct have been filed with Kentucky state and as of now she is also in comptempt of court, I see many fines and most likely jail time for her criminal behavior.
TheBigOne
@Jeanie Tucker Clift Viox:
If doing the duties that she was elected to perform goes against her beliefs, she should resign her position, and not use her beliefs to deny anybody else’s rights.
She’s just grandstanding, going for martyrdom by the looks of things. Let’s see if her beliefs keep her out of jail or paying fines.
OhHellNo
Have any of the protesters bothered to chant, “You’ve been married four times, you stupid cow”?
Big Head Baby
I don’t do Facebook or Twitter but how about if someone who knows how to calls for a boycott of Kentucky by LGBT folks and their supporters. You can bet your butt that Kentucky might move a little faster if they’re threatened with lost tourist dollars! Speak up with your wallet or your pocketbook!!
Realitycheck
Gentlemen an hearing for contempt of court will be held at 11AM on Thursday, by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, in Ashland.
Sadly and too kindly for this crazy woman, the couple filing the charges has requested only fines and NO jail time.
“”Davis and her deputy clerks were notified to appear at an 11 a.m. Thursday hearing at U.S. District Court in Ashland, Ky., about an hour to the east. As an elected official, Davis can’t be fired, but a judge can impose steep fines and jail time. She could be impeached but the state Legislature is not in session and many lawmakers support her position.””
1EqualityUSA
Good thing she’s not an E.R. nurse.
Bryguyf69
@Jeanie Tucker Clift Viox wrote:
“She was hired a long time before the law changed. It wasn’t in her job description.”
==
Er, are you saying that issuing marriage licenses wasn’t in her job description? Seriously? No one is asking her to issue “GAY MARRIAGE LICENSES.” In fact, the word “gay” does not appear on the licenses at all. As far as I can tell, the licenses are identical to past licenses except for the individuals involved. So what exactly are you claiming that wasn’t in her job description?
Was “one man and one woman” specified anywhere in her job description? If not, your argument is shot. The bottom line is that she was hired to issue marriage licenses — NOT TO DEFINE MARRIAGE OR INTERPRET THE LAW.
Kevin Wotipka
“But she emerged a few minutes later, telling the couples and the activists gathered there that her office”
it won’t be for much longer. If you can’t DO YOUR JOB, find another job.
Dakotahgeo
I’m going to tremendously enjoy seeing Davis’s ass and those of her coworkers, merrily being escorted out of the Courthouse and into a police van on their way to the Ashland Courtroom or to jail, whichever happens first! The world has had enough of this clown!
stanhope
Why is this even an issue? Her job description required her to perform certain duties. She is not doing them. The Constitution of the United States and the State laws do not recognize God as a component of law enforcement. Seems the simple solution is to discharge her without reference for failure to perform and insubordination. Following her view, especially since God has not come down to corroborate her story, I could go into NEIMAN Marcus and take a cute jacket saying God wanted me to wear this on Sunday so I would look good.
Realitycheck
@Mark Pilsnik: What do you mean harass?
It is Kim Davis job to issue licenses and these people have every right to be there.
We all pay taxes, and Christians extremists like Kim Davis do not get to make up regulations against the rest of the population, we all follow the same USA law , and that is why…….Kim Davis is now in contempt of court, and charges for misconduct have been filed against her.
Lets face it, Rowan county clerk Kim Davis, is as of now a criminal.
DutchGay
If you act against the law that is considered a crime. Yet that is what she does and she does it as part of a paid job ! So what she REALLY does is committing crimes AND GETTING PAID FOR IT !!! There’s only one thing to do; fire this woman and replace her with someone that does the job he / she gets paid for.
DutchGay
If she does not have “God’s authority” written, signed and legally recognised the law is about that and the woman is a repead offender of the law…
Bryguyf69
@Jeanie Tucker Clift Viox wrote
” I think the county should find a different position for her. She shouldn’t be forced to go against her beliefs. That way the new law could be carried out. Problem solved.”
===
She can believe anything she wants. This is not about beliefs. This is about job performance, pure and simple. Jobs change and evolve. If she can’t change along with the position, then it’s up to her to quit — or be fired. Furthermore, she WAY overstepped her authority by effectively making marriage impossible in her county. Even if one is to accept the concept of “religious objection,” and allow her to not sign the licenses, it was incumbent upon her to find a substitute mechanism to carry out the law. Similarly, if I can’t see a patient, I must make sure the patient is seen by someone else, and that his/her records are prepped. Instead, she merely stopped issuing licenses. In essence, she is no longer just defining her own job and actions, but changing the law and governmental services for the entire county. ARE YOU CLAIMING THAT SUCH POWERS ARE/WERE IN HER JOB DESCRIPTION? Even “religious objection” doesn’t give her such authority. Nor does it allow her to force her beliefs onto her co-workers and staff, who now effectively can’t carry out part of their job.
DutchGay
So all Americans can refuse to do their job citing “God’s authority” ? Well, I guess a national strike “in God’s authority” would urge actual authorities to end this woman’s paid series of crimes.
RobbDelman
@Crane Stephen Landis: Would I be impolitic to respond to your post with a fervent “Amen” ??
DutchGay
Jesus and his disciples. That are 13 men. Approx. 1 in 10 is gay. Just saying 🙂
Jason Shade Meow
*Whispers* spoiler not a damn things gonna happen , lol
Cam
Under HER rules, an Amish person could get a job at the DMV, and say that they were never going to issue drivers licenses because it was against their religion. THey could then demand to continue getting paid for doing nothing.
Joe Hamill
Nice one Teodor pmsl
archiesdaddy
Foolishness, bad language, blasphemy and vituperation will get nobody anywhere. Please make an effort at being dignified. We are not trash, are we? Abusing this woman helps nobody, save for perhaps making her feel or appear to be something of a ‘martyr’ to her faith/religion. She or her supporters may desire that and for all sorts of reasons (not excluding the pleasure of denying her what she and they may desire) it is a thoroughly bad idea to grant such a wish. The best way to solve this problem, for now, is to ‘promote’ the good lady to ‘Chief Clerk of Stationery’, or some such. Give her a raise, even, say an extra $10 per year to support her new dignity. She is not martyred but she has nothing more to do with giving marriage licenses. Remind her that her new seniority brings new duties and implicit responsibilities like to do nothing to bring the Office into disrepute. If she steps outside of her remit, she will have committed an act of gross misconduct and she can be terminated with very little further inconvenience.
Damon Robbins
Here desk number is 606-784-2923
Sunny Lalingua
somebody in charge invoke her dismissal, already?
Desert Boy
This religious heffa is obviously mentally ill and should be fired by the governor.
Xzamilio
Enough already… put this bitch in jail
GayEGO
When is this idiot going to be removed from her job and put in jail for disobeying the law. Tell her that since God made all of us and the majority of Americans support marriage equality and obey the law, this is God’s law!
scotshot
The people who owned the now shuttered pizza parlor who stated they would refuse to cater gay weddings raked in more than $840,000. from crowd funding.
I imagine no matter what fines the judge will impose on her would actually cause a financial burden for her. Pizza parlor = $840 grand. County Clerk = ???
Chris-Tyler Young
This is like a really bad episode of family guy at this point. Where the hell is the talking dog to make Louise see the error of her ways?
Paul Hines
She should set herself on fire in protest -God will Protect her . that would be faith
Ashleigh Battles
Have fun in prison, Kim!
Tom Mchenry
Escort her law-breaking ass out of the county office. Why doesn’t any authority in Rowan County have the balls to act and remove her? I can’t break the law ,why can she? She is playing the “god-card” as so many do…inexpensive and sometimes effective, but not in this case, honey. You are paid by Rowan County taxpayers and you are not doing your job. This is a simple premise. You are a law-breaker. Not exempt. No deal, Kimmo. Do your job…due diligence will prevail and you will fail. Maybe your “church” can help you out, huh?. You are the worst of America.
Cam
@archiesdaddy:
So your solution to somebody violating the law, and promoting bigotry is to promote them and give them a raise.
You need to rethink that, you are a seriously misguided person.
Carlos Rodriguez
She needs to quit the job.
Octavio Roca
Her government-issued email is [email protected] – the government office’s phone number is (606) 784-5212. Share Jesus’ love with her and call or drop her a note now.
Guytano Parks
â?¦why can’t this ignorant, bigoted, discriminatory and hateful bitch comprehend and accept *REALITY???!!!* â?? *MARRIAGE EQUALITY IS THE LAW OF THE LAND* as of JUNE 26, 2015!!!â?¦ (well, because she’s an ignorant, bigoted, discriminatory and hateful bitch!!!)… *PS â?? ANY arguments attempting to justify this bigotry as “religious freedom” is ridiculous and has NO BEARING because RELIGION HAS NO BASIS IN LAW!…
Government Employees Have No â??Religious Freedomâ?? Right To Refuse Service To Same-Sex Couples, Says Americans United
Jul 8, 2015 â?? Clerks Must Issue Marriage Licenses To All Qualified Couples, Church-State Watchdog Says
Government employees who oppose marriage equality because of their religious beliefs are not entitled to refuse service to same-sex couples, Americans United for Separation of Church and State has informed officials in all 50 states today.
In a letter released today, which will be sent to all state attorneys general as well as county clerks in Texas and South Dakota, Americans United explains that with marriage equality now the law of the land, government employees do not have the right to opt out of serving gay couples, because doing so would harm those couples and violate their constitutional rights.
â??As Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the U.S. Supreme Courtâ??s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, there is dignity in marriage for all couples,â? said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. â??But government officials who refuse to serve same-sex couples are taking away that dignity.â?
The letter was prompted by a recent memo from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and a statement by South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, who suggested that government employees may be allowed a religious exemption from serving same-sex couples.
In its memo, Americans United says the Constitution makes no such allowance.
â??As with an interracial couple, imposing such burdens on a same-sex couple would burden, demean, and stigmatize the couple in a manner that violates the Constitution and other laws. Thus, allowing accommodations in these circumstances would subject government entities and officials to legal liability,â? asserts the AU document.
Said Americans United Senior Litigation Counsel Gregory M. Lipper: â??The Supreme Court meant what it said. Any same-sex couple denied service by a government official should contact Americans Unitedâ??s legal department. We stand ready to represent same-sex couples whose rights are violated on account of religion.â?
This action is part of Americans Unitedâ??s new project, Protect Thy Neighbor, which seeks to stop religious-based discrimination against LGBT persons and others.
The letter was written by Lipper with assistance from AU Associate Legal Director Alex J. Luchenitser, and Madison Fellows Zachary A. Dietert and Natacha Y. Lam. (Lam is admitted in New York only, and is supervised by Lipper.)
Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization educates Americans about the importance of church-state separation in safeguarding religious freedom.
https://au.org/media/press-releases/government-employees-have-no-religious-freedom-right-to-refuse-service-to-same
Terry Schleyhahn
She was rejected by her Gym teacher & never got over it…
Ron Russell
She is not representing God and it is an insult to God for her to say she does.
Kevin J Desmond
Hey Bitch …. my God says you are evil and vile he doesn’t like you.
Giancarlo85
Contempt of court. You will be thrown in jail.
@archiesdaddy: You are clueless. We need to hold public officials accountable and a raise for what? Not doing her job? She has violated a federal court ruling and should be immediately jailed for it.
straightlyslanted
She needs to read Romans chapter 13 verses 1 through 7. It tells her to OBEY the government that comes from God. If she disagrees then she should find another job
woodroad34
How can she invoke something that doesn’t exist? Well, let me try it: BOMBARDA MAXIMA!!!
Has she blown up yet? I’m kinda far away, maybe it’ll take a moment or two…orrrr….maybe her reputation will take the brunt.
Avery Alvarez
I invoke Gandalf’s authority.
Yeah, that’s right, bish. Sir Ian McKellen.
He’s actually real, and waaay more cooler than that fiction you call god.
@John Autore: LOL. DARKSIDED!!!!
pattygale
Bottom line, she’s breaking the law! She should be fired. I agree with other poster, if she believes God’s word, she’s already going to hell for being divorced, so do your job or get carted off to jail.
Nedra
@Jeanie Tucker Clift Viox: She is under the laws of the land. She was not hired by her church and she is not acting in a religious office. The County Clerk’s Office is SECULAR. She is to be fired and imprisoned for TREASON!
Nedra
The entire staff needs to be kicked out of office!
How the hell can this woman blatantly show so much disregard for law and order and still be allowed to have her job?
She is to be thrown behind bars for committing treason, because as she clearly confessed, she is operating under another government’s authority!
This is why religious people have no business in public office, because they can’t be impartial, they are bloody irrational.
DuMaurier
She is not asking for a standard “religious accommodation”. The EEOC website says an accommodation can’t cause an “undue burden” to the employer. In this case the employer is the State of Kentucky, which has told its county clerk’s offices to issue marriage licenses to gay couples. Instead, she won’t let the office issue any licenses to anyone.
This, I humbly submit, is the very definition of an “undue burden”.
dre23222
This pig is the biggest hypocrite ever. She has been married four times, look like she woke up in a damage well or sewer hole and probably the biggest sinner ever, but have a nerve to preach religion to someone else.
WHEN WILL PEOPLE STOP TRYING TO SPEAK FOR GOD. IF GOD HAS SOMETHING TO SAY OR DO TO A PERSON HE WILL DO AND THAT PERSON HAS TO ANSWER TO HIM NOT NO ONE ELSE.
This piglet needs to be reprimanded and never be heard of again!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Finrod
Have IQs dropped sharply since this woman came to prominence?
She wasn’t HIRED. She was elected.
She can’t be FIRED. She can be jailed or fined.
Or if we’re really lucky, an angel from heaven can appear and burn out her tongue with a lightning bolt for her three broken marital vows and for describing her own selfish hate as God’s word. Get a therapist, lady.
Kangol
Bless her horrid little white KKKristian face. Isn’t she just so special she gets to defy the law and discriminate against people because she hates them?
Unfortunately, this same mentality was part and parcel of legalized segregation against African Americans and others, and is still too present in the US. We still have people telling us that even when you have a government or service job it’s OK to discriminate against people if you don’t like the way they look or their income level or their gender or their skin color or nationality or…as this beastly woman is doing, their sexual orientation.
NO. NO. NO!
This woman was elected to do a specific job, but out of hatred she refuses to. Since it is a government job and she’s in contempt of court, she deserves to go to jail. She can take her hate-drenched beliefs with her!
erich40
If she cannot uphold the law as an elected official then she needs to be held accountable and fined for her actions. How many of us are allowed to go to our work place and discriminate others we work with or clients we see. We would be in court or fired so fast we would not know what hit us. I really feel so sorry for Mrs. Davis, instead of saying nasty things about her and wishing bad upon her, we need to just accept that there are people out there and always will be with this type of thinking. You cannot be mad at a dog for being a dog, or mad at a 9yo for being a 9yo, you cannot be mad, shocked, or upset with someone who has this mentality. It is sad yes, but as a gay man this type of “Christian Morals” have been going on for years. They talk about cults, but wow look how they are acting. I wish her well, she is going to need much prayer when her ass is sitting in jail or facing a VERY heavy fine, then where will all her Chanting Christian supporters be, I have a feeling they can stand back and cheer her on but when the rubber meets the road I can bet they will be the first ones to run off and deny her…..Oh that’s right,…..didn’t someone else in the Bible deny Jesus….hmmmmmmm three times. Thank God for the Christians.
GG
I truly hope that the affected couples, both same-sex and hetero, sue her personally for human rights violations, personal harm by way of humiliation and ostracization, suffering and emotional distress. Seven figures sounds about right.
mmedesevigne
@Christopher Schapker: I can’t believe that everyone on this thread doesn’t see what her end game is: play the martyred “Christian” card to the last gasp, with any luck go to jail, then get crowd-funded by equally crazy “Christians” and make a million bucks. No brainer.
Billy Budd
Yeah, she is into it to make a profit. The bitch is smart.
FnameLname
So sick of these redneck monsters imposing their fairy tale beliefs on the general public. She follows the bible which is really just a book for those of us that do not follow. Why should the general public be subjected to the beliefs of any specific religion? Separation of church and state was established for a reason, reasons just like this.
If we were all given the green light to alter the law based on the content of a book we like than I will be the first to suggest that Main Street in every town become Diagon Alley and FB and Twitter will be replaced with your very own owl who will send and receive messages from friend/family. All hateful bigots will have their memories erased and they will become a person from the sector of population they despised most. A certain county clerk will become a butch lesbian complete with her own Harley Davidson, 6 cats and a partner of 17 years. Yes I’m stereotyping lesbians which is awful but sometimes if you’ve gotta roll around in the mud with a pig, you’re gonna get dirty.
scotty
ok well now she really is just being stupid.
jjunke
hasn’t this slut been married 4 times?
Dwight
When she issues a marriage license she is not personally endorsing the marriage. She is simply certifying that it meets the legal requirements for marriage in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
I’m sure she knows a lot of her community and has applicants before her all the time that she personally doesn’t think are a good couple or that the marriage won’t last. Again, she likely issues licenses in these cases not because she is endorsing the union but because it meets the legal criteria for marriage.
If I am a checkout person at a grocery store and ask a consumer how they plan to prepare the food, I’m not endorsing what they plan to do simply by ringing up their order. If I happen to be Jewish, and Kosher, I don’t refuse to sell someone meat and dairy because they may prepare them in the same meal. If I’m Jewish or Muslim I can’t refuse to ring up someone who is purchasing pork, or shellfish.
If I’m a business owner I can decide I won’t carry pork, or shellfish, but if I carry a product, I must sell it to the public regardless of my religious beliefs (unless the item has restrictions on distribution such as tobacco or alcohol). Selling a product to someone or filling an order does not constitute an endorsement of how someone plans to use that product. It is simply filling an order.
My fear is wondering how much money she’ll collect once the inevitable campaign starts to pay her fines begins.
Bryguyf69
@Patrick C Arnone wrote:
“Why is she still employed? I don’t get it. Fire her !”
===
Unfortunately, she is an elected official. That means she can’t be fired, only impeached. In an ultra-conservative state like Kentucky, it’s highly unlikely that the legislature would impeach her. Likewise, even if she could be fired, her supervisor would likely be similarly homophobic and support her.
Giancarlo85
I wonder if she ever married atheists. If she has, she’s already a hypocrite. If marriage is a “religious institution” as she claims it is, has she refused to marry those who subscribe to no cult, I mean religious belief at all?
But then again this pig has been divorced 3 times and is on her fourth husband. I guess she takes a page out of Newt Gingrich’s book of fidelity.
Giancarlo85
@mmedesevigne: Not my concern if people throw their moeny away. We are talking about a tax payer paid public official. She either needs to do her job, be held in contempt or resign (or be removed). I don’t care what happens later. She failed in her duties as a public official and is spitting on the authority of the Supreme Court. She probably has a book deal already and a job waiting for her on Fox News… wouldn’t give a shit really. This is about holding a public official accountable for their actions.
mmedesevigne
@Giancarlo85: I totally agree with you. All I’m suggesting is that there is more than just moral outrage on her part that is at play here. A truly “Christian” woman whose beliefs were being offended would admit that she is on the wrong side of history, resign and go and do something else. She’s doubling down in hopes of a big Pay Day. I’m a Canadian, so I don’t really understand how things work in the US, but what amazes me is that (a) she is a public servant who is clearly refusing to serve the public, and (b) she is in open contempt of the Supreme Court. How can this be tolerated? She ought to have been hauled off in irons by now.
dre23222
@mmedesevigne: you are totally right. This woman is trying to get some deal or money from somewhere. Why is there always a TV crew present? Another thing is a Christian with all these beliefs would step aside and walk away and do something elseb but she refuse to do as told and don’t mind to be in contempt? I think this is all about publicity and money. Sad this fat piece of trash is trying to manipulate everyone to thinking she is standing up to beliefs so they can give her fame and money from Republicans. She is a hypocrite dumb stupid ignorant piece of trash.
silveroracle
She’s not doing her job.
Is that not gross misconduct, which is a sackable offence?
Daniel-Reader
Everyone in the county or anyone who has done business in the county now has to have everything she has ever done in office reviewed to make certain it was done properly since she’s indicated she doesn’t uphold laws she doesn’t like. The rightwingers don’t want this to take place because they want only her conduct in this case to be the focus of people’s attention.
Michael1500
This crazy bitch needs to be canned, and the people she represents should shudder at the insanity she manifests. However, I understand they’re always in need of truffle-sniffing sows over in Europe…
Brian
Why haven’t the powers-that-be dismissed her from her job? Or at the very least put her in a role where she no longer has the capacity to issue any marriage licenses whatsoever?
She’s entitled to her belief although there’s a report in the New York Daily News this morning that she committed adultery:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/kentucky-clerk-gay-marriage-fracas-married-4-times-article-1.2345036
1EqualityUSA
(This has been said before. Forgive me, Queertiers, these words are relevant to Kim Davis as well.)
These Religious zealots are imposing their beliefs on other Americans. That is too great a burden for a secular society. Christians are free to carry on, rendering unto Caesar, should they want to take part in capitalism. There is no room for a mindset that rationalizes taking away inalienable rights from the unpopular Americans. This country’s citizens cannot tolerate those who wish to oppress other Americans, no matter the motivation.
Do you not see the danger in tearing the wall of separation down between religion and politics? You believe we are a “Christian Nation,” but were this to change a hundred years from now, you may find your views challenged and your beliefs imposed upon. If you truly believe that your God is the only true God, can you not find talented teachers to convey the message, without establishing your beliefs into civil laws, under which everyone is coerced? The gradient is too wildly vast to say that your interpretation of the Bible is the proper version by which everybody shall be burdened. I do not want to live under Kim Davis’s version of my Bible, nor would I expect her to be burdened by my interpretation. One hundred years from now, the tide may change and we may find that we are burdened by a different God entirely, should the precedence be set, now, by foolish Texans and Tea Partiers. Jesus and John the Baptist didn’t run up to Herod and say, “establish these laws of ours.” Their words transform hearts. It will be ineffective to establish religion into civic laws, as years from now, these laws may, well, be overturned and set on a shelf, futility. If you believe in the Word, sing it from the rooftops, tell it to the mountain, establish a way to convey God’s message in a convincing manner through talent and faith, but coercion by civil laws is throwing resources down a rat-hole. If you have faith in your Father’s Word, that should be enough to grow 70 times 70 hearts and minds. Establishing your religious beliefs in civil law, without transforming hearts, is a temporary measure, oppressive, and sure to fail.
If these church leaders were worth their salt, they would not need to resort to oppression and coercion. The Church has lost its way. They cannot spiritually feed the flock. The leaders are tangled in the thorns of this world. Separation protects. Mixing politics into religion supplants the Word. Christ was not a politician. He was not of this world. His Word was His authority. His example didn’t include oppression, but rather, free will. Any pastor, priest, or pope stating otherwise is nefarious and none of Christ’s.
Separation of Church and State protects the Spiritually minded in our Country, as well as those who have no religious interests. You are free to worship whomever you deem true and found a Church that teaches your version of the Bible, but keep your personal beliefs to yourself. Your God is not to be pushed onto North American society via civil laws. Oppression is not the example set for you by Jesus and anyone who says so is dark. Strife and rancor is not the way to teach God’s Word. The Word is not to be compromised by politics, nor by those itching for a fight.
Dakotahgeo
Unfortunately, this is not going to be the first and only case involving politics vs religion in the country. Our best chance to eradicate these people is to banish them to internment camps/reeducation camps until they either show improvement or… XPD them!
scotshot
@Dakotahgeo: “eradicate these people….banish them internment camps/reeducationcamps until…”
I seriously hope this was written intending to be sarcasm/snark.
What is XPD?
Dakotahgeo
@scotshot: Heh heh heh… maybe yes…. maybe no! XPD = ExPedient Demise. Another name for government intervention to snuff out a person dangerous to exposing their secrets!
Celtic
In simple terms, Davis is committing tyranny against the state/nation by failing to follow the law. Davis is a hypocrite. She fails to follow the Teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, pitting her into the deep well of the unfaithful; the deceivers and liars, wolves in sheep’s cloth. Davis invokes “God”. WHICH “god” does Davis worship other than the “god” of the self-righteous stone throwers against whom Jesus of Nazareth rails.
Additionally, Matt Staver may be supporting or representing her in this. Google his Liberty Council website. A man right out of Stalin’s ruling party. Davis is not doing this all alone. She is a shill for a silent partner, I am confident.
Sluggo2007
The media must be paying the State of Kentucky to keep this bitch on the payroll. I can’t imagine any other reason why she would still have her job. It’s all about sensationalism.
Celtic
She has Matt Staver of the Liberty Council in her corner. Google the site and you will get chills, not thrills. Also, I just read that Davis was pregnant from her later to be 3rd husband while still married to her first. If that bitch wants to lean on Scripture, I say, “Bring it own, you heretic.” I can slam dunk her in less than two minutes. She is a pawn for the religious right.
paul dorian lord fredine
since it’s coming out that she gave birth to her first kids (i hear it was twins) five months after marrying her first husband but they were actually fathered by the man who would become her third husband, i’m going to assume that that whole deal was also ‘by god’s authority’ because it sure does sound biblical in nature, very ‘old testamenty’. i think the next time she holds one of her sanctimonious news conferences someone should bring that whole thing up, you know, kind of subtle like ‘hey kim, how’s the kids? want to know just who they send the cards to on father’s day?’
hypocritical old bag!!!
edinsf
If you are as outraged as I am over this bigot’s defiant behavior, fight back. The following link contains Davis’ contact info: email address, phone & fax number, and mailing address. Contact the bitch and let her know what you think. Oh & spread the word (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) 🙂
http://rowancountyclerk.com/
Celtic
My message to Kim Davis on her Rowan County KY website.
You are a disgrace before God, Christ and Country. You have been married FOUR times? Carried the child of your 3rd later to be husband while still married to your first husband? How in the Name of Almighty God can you stand upon the stage of outrageous pretense by denying gay and lesbian couples marriage licenses? You are the hypocrite, the wolf in sheep’s cloth and the self-righteous pervert about whom Jesus warns His followers. You even a disgrace to the State of Kentucky, where my ancestors once lived on their hard working farms. You should be fired and treated as an enemy of the state and nation by way of your tyranny and bigotry.
edinsf
Regarding the comments that we should not stoop to Davis’ level by bringing up her past, normally I would agree. However, in this case her multiple marriages and adultery are germane to the discussion. Davis is citing God’s authority to justify disallowing same-sex couples to marry. Yet she conveniently chooses to ignore similar Biblical condemnations on adultery, children born out-of-wedlock and multiple marriages, all “sins” she is guilty of. Expose the f***ing bitch for what she is, a hypocritical, bigoted whore. Oh and this website has all her contact info. http://rowancountyclerk.com/. Contact the bitch and let her know what you think.
Celtic
You damned straight we should bring up her past. She presumes to stand on higher moral ground when in fact she has been an unfaithful slut. Worse, she abuses Holy Scripture presuming that makes her all the more moral when in fact it makes her less moral. The fact this woman has gained national attention is in one sense in a good thing and in another sense, a bad thing. I hope she crashes and burns as the troglodyte she is: Disgrace to God, Christ, Country and Kentucky.
edinsf
@Celtic: Nice job Celtic. Good for you!! 🙂
Celtic
@edinsf: Thanks. Much appreciated.
Bryguyf69
@Dwight wrote:
“My fear is wondering how much money she’ll collect once the inevitable campaign starts to pay her fines begins.”
===
Exactly. Analysts say that it’s highly unlikely that she will be jailed so the only punishment will be fines. Like that homophobic baker, she will likely get lots of donations from supporters. So not only will she not feel the sting from fines, but she’ll come out feeling reinvigorated from the support. Worse, it’ll encourage the other 13 clerks (in 3 states) who are similarly criminal to continue their defiance. Prison for Contempt of Court is the only deterrent.
charlieeod74
It’s not God’s voice she is listening to, but the voice of the demon of hate and bigotry