Kentucky clerk Kim Davis, who has become a lightning rod for left-wing criticism and an icon of right-wing politicians because of her refusal to grant same-sex marriage licenses in Kentucky, is under arrest. A Kentucky judge ordered Davis placed under arrest for contempt of court, stating that a fine would not compel Davis to do her duty.
Kim Davis, a clerk in Rowan County KY, became something of a cause célèbre in the wake of the Supreme Court’s June decision to legalize gay marriage in all 50 U.S. states. Davis objected to issuing same-sex licenses on religious grounds, stating that her Christian beliefs conflicted with the court’s decision, and that she could not in good conscience allow gays to marry. In fact, Kim Davis simply began denying marriage licenses to anyone who asked–her attorneys argued that Davis was not discriminating against gays, since her objection had been broadened to include all humans.
U.S. District Judge David Bunning, however, disagreed both with Davis’ interpretation of the law and of her own rights under it. When the ACLU requested that Davis be fined, Bunning stated that he “didn’t believe a fine would be enough to force [Davis] to action.”
“My conscience will not allow me” was almost all Kim Davis said in response to Judge Bunning’s requests for an explanation.
Davis has been married four times, and has attracted a great deal of criticism from opponents for this reason. The crowd of marriage equality supporters that had gathered outside the Ashland KY courthouse cheered when they heard news of Bunning’s decision.
Additionally, Twitter exploded with Kim Davis-based mirth, much of which was Orange is the New Black-centered:
Psst, #KimDavis. If you think jail is better than signing gay marriage licenses, I’ve got some unfortunate news. pic.twitter.com/ElM7kyvIwP
— Sarah Kogod (@SarahKogod) September 3, 2015
Real Christians have a message for #KimDavis: pic.twitter.com/JxB3bo1io5 — Bipartisan Report (@Bipartisanism) September 3, 2015
I truly hope that prison offers #KimDavis the peace & freedom from exposure to immorality that her job could not. pic.twitter.com/Fxv6EqaStc — Mike Polk Jr. (@mikepolkjr) September 3, 2015
This grandma has a message for #KimDavis: pic.twitter.com/R8ve4PvSXw — Bipartisan Report (@Bipartisanism) September 3, 2015
WHO DID THIS ?? #KimDavis pic.twitter.com/UAFztkkbG4
— DCHomos (@DCHomos) September 3, 2015
BREAKING: Defiant anti-gay clerk #KimDavis found guilty of “contempt of court” – leaves court in federal custody. pic.twitter.com/HzBvlZFLaR — The Baxter Bean (@TheBaxterBean) September 3, 2015
Davis will remain in jail until she agrees to comply with the order to issue marriage licenses.
(Photo credit: Kim Davis.)
