Judge Rules That a Clerk Violated Same-Sex Couple’s Rights

MAR 19 2022·Updated DEC 22 2022

Story

Image credit: AP [via NPR]

The Facts

On Fri., a federal judge found former Kentucky clerk Kim Davis guilty of violating the constitutional rights of two same-sex couples for refusing to issue them marriage licenses in 2015.
New York Post
After SCOTUS legally recognized same-sex marriage in 2015, she stopped issuing all marriage licenses. This garnered international attention and briefly landed her in jail.
guardian
Davis used freedom of religion to defend her decision. However, the judge reasoned that she can't use her consitutional rights to violate others' rights.
USA Today
Although Davis argued that she was protected from being sued for damages by a legal doctrine, SCOTUS declined taking her case and decided to let the case move forward in 2020.
guardian
A jury will now decide whether she's liable for damages towards the two couples, with the trial expected to be held on Apr. 1.
CNN

Sources Split

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The Spin

Right narrative

Davis's religious liberty has been breached by an unfair system that persecutes people who stay true to their religious beliefs. She should have been exempt from having to issue the marriage licenses.

WORLD

Left narrative

Davis not only violated the constitutional rights of Americans and caused untold harm to the two couples, but she is also responsible for dragging them through an irrational and insensitive legal mess. There is no question that she should compensate for the damages she caused.