Court Rules Kim Davis Can Be Sued For Refusing Marriage Licenses to Same-sex Couples

Court Rules Kim Davis Can Be Sued For Refusing Marriage Licenses to Same-Sex Couples

Court Rules Kim Davis Can Be Sued For Refusing Marriage Licenses to Same-sex Couples
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Kentucky ordered to pay $224,000 to four couples who sued Kim Davis for legal fees.

Kentucky has been ordered to pay close to a quarter of a million dollars after former county clerk Kim Davis denied marriage licenses to same-sex couples.[/tweetit]

Court Rules Kim Davis Can Be Sued For Refusing Marriage Licenses to Same-Sex Couples[/tweetthis]

The clerk who gained attention in 2015 might be sued for damages by two of the couples who were denied marriage licenses. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati said in individual capacity, Kim Davis can be sued. She is protected from being sued in her previous role as Rowan County Clerk through sovereign immunity.

The 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision which recognized same-sex marriage as a constitutional right was denied by Kim Davis. She has claimed this decision does not apply to her as she didn’t issue licenses to anyone. She even argued that the plaintiffs could obtain licenses elsewhere.

The appeals court has ordered Kentucky to pay $224,000 to four couples who sued Kim Davis for legal fees.

Ria Tabacco Mar, senior staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), said the ruling on Friday says the responsibility for payment falls to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. She went on to say the ruling brings vindication to the couples who continued to fight after marriage equality became the law.

William E. Sharp, an attorney for the ACLU, said the Court has sent a message to government officials that is unconstitutional to take advantage of public office to impose personal beliefs on other people. He went on to say that government officials will also take note of the affair being a very costly mistake.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2015 that same-sex couples have the right to marry. Kim Davis refused to comply with this law because it offended her religious beliefs. Davis said that she had “God’s authority” to break the law which made her a hero to conservatives

Republicans and even the then-presidential candidate, Sen. Ted Cruz, praised her for her courage.

Republican Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin paid Davis a visit in jail and tweeted a photo of his visit. He said he was honored that Kim Davis and her husband requested him to visit her in jail.

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