Syracuse Judge Faces Backlash for Refusing to Marry Same-Sex Couple, Sparking Calls for Resignation and Judicial Review

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — In a controversial break from expected judicial conduct, Syracuse City Court Judge Felicia Pitts Davis is facing scrutiny for her refusal to officiate a same-sex wedding, igniting conversations about the role of personal beliefs in the performance of official duties. The rejection occurred when Shawntay Davis and Niccora Davis approached her for a civil marriage ceremony on November 16. Witnesses reported that prior to encountering the same-sex couple, Judge Pitts Davis appeared emotionally moved during a ceremony for an opposite-sex couple. However, upon the arrival of Shawntay and Niccora Davis, she unexpectedly … Read more

Former County Clerk Ordered to Pay $100,000 in Damages to Gay Couple for Violating Their Constitutional Right to Marry

Ashland, Kentucky – Former Rowan County clerk Kim Davis has been ordered by a jury to pay a sum of money to a gay couple following a federal judge’s ruling that their constitutional rights were violated. The verdict was reached swiftly, with the jury taking only two and a half hours to determine the damages owed to the couple. Davis had denied the couple a marriage license back in 2015, asserting that it went against her religious beliefs and therefore infringed upon her own rights. This case gained widespread attention across the nation. The jury, … Read more