#Great
From: NewNowNext
A federal judge has dismissed the remaining three lawsuits against Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis, filed after she refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples last year.
U.S. District Judge David Bunning wrote in his order that the issue had been “settled,” since marriage licenses no longer need to carry the names of county clerks—a change Davis had requested.
“In light of these proceedings, and in view of the fact that the marriage licenses continue to be issued without incident, there no longer remains a case or controversy before the court,” Bunning wrote.
On September 3, 2015, Bunning cited Davis for being in contempt of court and had her jailed for five days for refusing refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
“Our form of government will not survive unless we, as a society, agree to respect the U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions, regardless of our personal opinions,” he said at the time. “Davis is certainly free to disagree with the Court’s opinion, as many Americans likely do, but that does not excuse her from complying with it. To hold otherwise would set a dangerous precedent.”
Davis used the attention to catapult herself into being the poster girl for the right wing, meeting with Republican presidential candidates, reality TV stars and even the Pope.
To avoid solemnizing gay relationships, she stopped issuing marriage licenses altogether. Several couples wishing to wed then sued Davis, claiming she violated their civil rights.
“We celebrate this victory for (Davis) and for every American,” said Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel, the anti-LGBT foundation representing Davis. “County clerks are now able to perform their public service without being forced to compromise their religious liberty.”
What about punitive damages for the victims? If marriage is such a sacred institution, certainly being deprived of it deserves compensation.
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