Kim Davis must now pay $260K more to the gay couple she denied a marriage license to
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A Federal Judge Orders Anti-LGBTQ+ Activist Kim Davis to Pay $260,000 in Legal Fees
In a recent ruling, a federal judge has ordered anti-LGBTQ+ activist Kim Davis to pay $260,000 in legal fees to a same-sex couple that she infamously denied a marriage license to back in 2015. This amount is in addition to the $100,000 award she was ordered to pay the couple last September.
Davis, a conservative Christian who has been married four times, made headlines when she refused to provide marriage licenses to gay couples after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage. She justified her actions by stating that she was acting “under God’s authority” and that she believed marriage should only be between a man and a woman.
The male same-sex couple in question filed a discrimination lawsuit against Davis, which they ultimately won. U.S. District Judge David L. Bunning ruled that Davis cannot use her own constitutional rights to religious freedom as a shield to violate the constitutional rights of others while performing her duties as an elected official.
Davis’s attorneys argued that the fees sought by the couple’s attorneys were excessive. However, Judge Bunning disagreed and stated that she must pay the fees since she lost the discrimination lawsuit. Davis’s lawyers have pledged to appeal both of the judge’s decisions in favor of the gay couple.
This ruling comes after Davis’s controversial actions in 2015, where she and someone in her office denied marriage licenses to at least two same-sex couples. As a result, Davis was jailed for five days for contempt of court, and her staff issued the licenses on her behalf with her name removed from the documents.
The case garnered significant attention, with then-Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin initially praising Davis as an inspiration. However, when it was determined that the state government would have to pay for her legal fees, Bevin appealed to have Davis personally cover the costs instead.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Davis was represented by the Liberty Counsel, an anti-LGBTQ+ organization that opposes any expansion of LGBTQ+ civil rights. The Southern Poverty Law Center has designated the Liberty Counsel as a hate group due to its extreme views on LGBTQ+ individuals and same-sex marriage.
The Liberty Counsel has made numerous controversial statements, including claiming that LGBTQ+ individuals are seeking to “indoctrinate” children and society at large with “perversion” and “harmful sexual behavior.” They also assert that same-sex marriage causes disease and destroys societal fabric while labeling homosexuals as “immoral” and “unnatural.”
It is worth noting that the judge’s ruling to award the same-sex couple $260,000 in legal fees is a significant victory for LGBTQ+ rights. This decision sends a strong message that discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community will not be tolerated, and those who engage in such behavior will face consequences.
As Davis’s lawyers prepare to appeal the ruling, it remains to be seen what the outcome will be. However, this case serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ equality and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their discriminatory actions.
In conclusion, the federal judge’s decision to order Kim Davis to pay $260,000 in legal fees to the same-sex couple she denied a marriage license to is a significant development in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. This ruling emphasizes the importance of upholding constitutional rights and ensuring equal treatment for all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation.
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