April 24, 2025 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

She’s back, again

KIM DAVIS, CIVIL 'SERVANT'
KIM DAVIS, CIVIL ‘SERVANT’

BY TROY MASTERS  |  That ultimate parody of christianity, clerk Kim Davis, is wasting more of your tax dollars.  This time she is asking a federal appeals judge to toss out all the rulings issued by the district court — she was jailed for denying same-sex couples marriage licenses.

Davis’ attorney on Monday Nov. 2, filed a 126-page document that claims U.S. District Court Judge David Bunning’s order that Davis issue same-sex marriage licenses was a religious liberty denying “rush to judgment.”

Davis, chief clerk of rural Rowan County, was jailed for five nights  in September after defying that order.  Her case inspired a misguided debate about the intersection of religious freedom.

Davis employed a tactic against the federal government that had previously only been attempted against district court orders or individual states, ceasing the issuance of  all marriage licenses rather than comply with the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that legalized gay marriage. The American Civil Liberties Union, representing several couples whom she had denied, sued her and the federal judge ordered her to resume issuance of licenses. She refused and Bunning, holding her in contempt, ordered her to jail.

Davis’ lawyer is requesting that the appeals court rescind four lower court’s rulings, including the order forcing Davis to issue licenses and another which held her in contempt of court. Without any irony, the appeal brazenly claims that the order ‘commandeered’ her duties in a public office to which she was elected.

“By imprisoning Davis and threatening to hold her hostage indefinitely as a prisoner of her conscience, the district court imposed direct pressure and substantial burden on Davis, forcing her to choose between her religious beliefs and forfeiting her essential personal freedom on one hand, or abandoning those beliefs to keep her freedom on the other hand,” says her appeal.

When Davis returned to her duties she changed the language on the licenses of same sex couples by adding “pursuant to federal court order.”

Davis also sued outgoing Gov. Steve Beshear for ordering all Kentucky county clerks on the day of the Supreme Court’s ruling, directing them to immediately issue licenses to same-sex couples. The suit alleges that because he acted by fiat rather than as a legislator and that he showed no sensitivities to the religious concerns of civil workers.

Republican Matt Bevin, a businessman referred to locally as “Kentucky’s Donald Trump, won that state’s governorship the next day.  Bevin, who had rallied in support Davis, handily defeated Democrat (and current Kentucky Attorney General) Jack Conway.  Talking heads across social media and on TV attributed Conway’s defeat to his role in refusing to appeal a federal court decision striking down the state ban on same-sex marriage.

Related Posts

The Brian Jonestown Massacre Drops New Double A-Side Ahead of U.S. Tour

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025

Legendary Psych-Rockers Set April 25 Release and Fall North American Tour The Brian Jonestown Massacre is set to release a...

(Video) Matú Kai Brentwood: The full experience

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Sister restaurant to Matú in Beverly Hills, located at 11777 San Vicente Blvd. Sister restaurant to Matú in Beverly Hills,...

Uncle Stevey’s Bagels Wins Westside Hearts with Next-Level Bagels, Premium Sandwiches, and Local Coffee

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Family-Run Shop Serves Delicious and Thoughtfully Curated Bagels With Love By Dolores Quintana A little more than a year since...

Santa Monica’s Socalo Toasts Pali Wine Co. with a Five-Course Culinary Celebration

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Enjoy Celebrated Central Coast Wines, Including a 100-Point Red Blend Socalo, the acclaimed Mexican restaurant from celebrity chefs Mary Sue...

Go Go Bird Teams Up with Chef Chris Oh for Korean-Inspired Fried Chicken Sandwich

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Crispy, Saucy, Spicy: Chris Oh’s Fried Chicken Sandwich Lands in Culver City Go Go Bird, located in Culver City’s Citizen...

Fogo de Chão Hosts Wine Lover’s Dream Night with Chilean Winery VIK

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

Diners Will Enjoy a Chef-Curated South American Menu, Highly Rated Wines Wine lovers and culinary connoisseurs are invited to gather...

(Video) A Myriad of Ways to Unlock Your Beauty Offered at Mirror Mirror Med Spa

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025

For More Info, Go To Mirrormedspa.com For More Info, Go To https://t.co/KJ6rMHm6wj pic.twitter.com/hRl6JlLSNy — Palisades News (@PalisadesNewsLA) April 23, 2025

City Council Member John Erickson Honors Pope Francis After His Passing

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Pope of the People Remembered by West Hollywood City Council Member  West Hollywood City Council member and former Mayor John...

Cinespia Returns to Hollywood Forever With Cult Classics and a David Lynch Tribute

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Becomes a Moviegoer’s Paradise Once Again Cinespia, Los Angeles’ beloved outdoor cinema series, will return to Hollywood...

WeHo’s Spring Fest Makes a Splash With Free Games, Music, and Pool Time

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Family-Friendly Fun Awaits at West Hollywood Park and Aquatic Center Families and residents are invited to dive into fun at...

Major I-405 Rehab Project Unveiled: Caltrans to Host Virtual Info Meeting

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Sepulveda Pass Overhaul: New Pavement, Safer Roads, Better Commutes The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will hold a virtual informational...

Representative Brad Sherman in Person at CSUN Town Hall This Weekend

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Constituents of California’s 32nd District Invited to an In-Person Q&A Session U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman will hold an in-person town...

San Fernando Valley Man Gets 5 Years for Beverly Hills Bank Fraud and Identity Theft

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Federal Prison for ID Thief Who Raided Beverly Hills Mailboxes for Millions A North Hills man was sentenced Monday to...

Academy Announces Major Changes for 98th Oscars, Including AI Rules and New Casting Award

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

Academy Now Requires Viewing All Nominees to Cast Final Ballots The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has unveiled...

Pepper Spray and Panic: LA Homeowners Targeted in Nighttime Burglaries

April 22, 2025

April 22, 2025

LAPD Hunts Suspects After One Resident Attacked in Beverly Grove Two separate home invasions late Friday night in Beverly Grove...