Gay-Hating Kim Davis May Have To Pay $222K To Gay Couple's Legal Team

Former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis

Back in 2015, then-candidate for Kentucky governor Matt Bevin was proud to announce he “absolutely supported” Kim Davis, the infamous county clerk who denied marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Even though the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled that marriage equality had become the law of the land, Davis refused to issue the licenses citing her deeply-held religious beliefs.

It’s important to note that those ‘deeply-held religious beliefs’ about the sanctity of marriage didn’t stop her from marrying three different men four times, so, there’s that.

At the time, the state required the name of the county clerk to appear on each marriage license, and Davis saw that as tacit endorsement of same-sex marriage. Digging in her heels, she stopped issuing marriage licenses altogether.

Gay and straight couples, now unable to marry, sued Davis with the help of the American Civil Liberties Union. The result was a federal judge ordering Davis to issue the licenses, but she still refused.

And so it was that the judge found her in contempt of court, and she was jailed for five days making her the darling of the anti-LGBT crowd.

The eventual solution was the Kentucky legislature changing state law that required county clerks names on marriage licenses. The gay and straight couples were issued marriage licenses, and the lawsuit against Davis was dismissed in that the issue had been resolved.

Davis went on to write a book, campaigned for a failed same-sex marriage ban in Romania, and then, this past November was voted out of office.

But this sad tale isn’t quite done, yet. There is, as they say, the issue of the bill.

In 2017, a district judge ruled that the state of Kentucky had to pay the $222,000 legal costs of the gay and straight couples who had brought the lawsuit against Davis.

According to the Associated Press, lawyers for now-Governor Matt Bevin say state taxpayers "should not have to collectively bear the financial responsibility for Davis' intransigence."

"Only Davis refused to comply with the law as was her obligation and as required by the oath of office she took," Bevin attorney Palmer G. Vance II wrote in a brief filed with the court.

“Her local policy stood in direct conflict with her statutory obligation to issue marriage licenses to qualified Kentucky couples,” continued Vance in the brief. “Davis had an independent and sworn duty to uphold the law as an elected county officer.”

For clarity, both Bevins and Davis believe that the court should not award legal fees saying the gay and straight couples didn’t technically ‘win’ the lawsuit since it was dismissed after the legislative action.

Steve Pitt, an in-house lawyer for the governor, says Bevins “continues to support Ms. Davis’s actions,” but if legal fees are to be awarded, “the taxpayers of Kentucky are not responsible to pay the ACLU’s attorney fees.”

Davis’s lawyer, Mat Staver of the virulently anti-LGBT organization Liberty Counsel, which has been labeled an ‘extremist group’ by the Southern Poverty Law Center, argues that Davis was acting on behalf of the state.

Since Bevins appealed the initial ruling regarding court costs, the two sides will face off Thursday at the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati where a three-judge panel will hear arguments on who should pay the legal fees.

Anti-LGBTQ Organizations Signal 'Religious Freedoms' To Be Top Priority For SCOTUS Pick

Donald Trump

Since the announcement of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement, LGBTQ activists and advocates have expressed their deep concern about the community’s rights and protections being threatened by what will be a much more conservative successor.

Over the weekend, in an interview with Fox Business Network's Maria Bartiromo, Trump said he was "putting conservative people" on the high court, but “probably not” ask beforehand how those nominees might vote on specific issues.

What he didn’t say in his answer is he doesn’t have to ask. Trump has a pre-selected list of 25 candidates that have already been vetted by the ultra-conservative Federalist Society. It’s a foregone conclusion that all of them have been screened for far-right positions on the law.

While its unlikely that marriage equality would ever be overturned in a wholesale manner, what many legal experts say consider possible is the Supreme Court handing down ‘carve outs’ in rulings regarding ‘religious liberty’ that would allow for legalized discrimination of LGBTQ people.

This morning, hate group leader Tony Perkins, of the virulently anti-LGBTQ organization Family Research Council, made clear on Fox News exactly what his faction of conservatives are looking at in a new Supreme Court justice.

“Given the fact that the left wants to make this all about abortion – I think it’s much bigger, I think we have religious liberty, we’ve got freedom of speech, the First Amendment in the crosshairs of the left.

“But they want to make it about life and if I were the president, I’d say, ‘Game on. I’m going to pick someone that’s beyond reproach.’ I think this supercharges the president’s base to get behind him in his pick and I think that spills over into the midterm election.”

Even though Trump falsely campaigned on the premise he would be an “LGBT ally,” his actions since taking office have demonstrated exactly the opposite.

Buzzfeed’s Dominic Holden has compiled a list of the many ways the Trump administration has worked against the LGBTQ community including:

• Reversed a federal policy that said transgender workers were protected from discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

• Argued that its legal to fire LGBTQ employees for being

• Supported Colorado baker Jack Phillips at the Supreme Court for turning away gay customers

• Withdrawn guidance that said Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 bans anti-transgender discrimination in federally funded schools

• Proposed banning transgender service members in the U.S. military

• Declined to appoint an LGBTQ liaison for the White House that would help communication between the administration and LGBTQ organizations and advocates

This is clearly a time that we, as a community, have to stay woke. We have to stay vigilant. We have to be involved.

And most importantly, we have to vote.

Liberty Counsel Rep Declares Public School Sex Education "Satanic"

Without even the limited sex education in public schools, where would young Americans learn the basics about human sexuality and sexual health?

From their parents? #NotGonnaHappen

Which makes a recent appearance by Mary McAlister of the virulently anti-LGBTQ Liberty Counsel even more dangerous as she declared sex education in schools to be "satanic."

From Right-Wing Watch:

Mary McAlister, who is senior litigation counsel for the anti-LGBTQ organization Liberty Counsel, appeared on Cliff Kincaid’s “USA Survival” program yesterday, where she declared that sex ed programs in public schools are satanic.

McAlister and Kincaid were discussing the upcoming “Sex Ed Sit Out” effort being organized by Religious Right activist Elizabeth Johnston, who is better known as the “Activist Mommy,” which encourages parents to remove their children from school to protest what she sees as “graphic, gender-bending sex education.”

“It’s evil,” McAlister replied. “It’s absolutely evil. God has made us all in his image, he has set out for us rules for living that enable us to live rich and full and healthy lives and all of this that is going on now is directly aimed at tearing all of that down. Well, we know who does that. That’s the Enemy, that’s Satan and his minions.”

Watch the exchange below.

New Ad From OpenToAll

From OpenToAll.com:

As a nation, we decided a long time ago that when a business opens its doors to the public, it should be open to everyone, on the same terms.

But a case now before the Supreme Court wants to take us back to the days when businesses could tell people, “We don’t serve your kind here.” Masterpiece Cakeshop is arguing that it should have a constitutional right to discriminate against customers simply because of who they are.

That’s why we all need to get involved. This case paves the way to eroding the federal Civil Rights Act and dismantling state and federal laws intended to protect people of color, women, religious minorities, people with disabilities, LGBT people and others from discrimination.

In their new ad, OpenToAll reminds that the Masterpiece Bakery case as SCOTUS is about much more than a bakery. Imagine a school counselor refusing to help an LGBT student...

Watch the new ad below.

New ad: Have you seen it yet? Imagine a school counselor refusing to help a child simply because they’re #LGBT. #Masterpiece is about so much more than a bakery. It would create a far-reaching #LicenseToDiscriminate #OpenToAll Pls RT! https://t.co/qYXobGGxEV pic.twitter.com/5GEy9Eo7UU

— LGBT MAP (@lgbtmap) December 1, 2017

HBO's John Oliver Spotlights Anti-LGBTQ Past Of Alabama GOP Senate Nominee Roy Moore

HBO’s John Oliver spotlights the anti-LGBTQ past of infamous Alabama U.S. Senate candidate and noted bigot Roy Moore.

“Listen to Roy Moore’s feelings on homosexuality, because as bad as you assume they are: they’re actually worse,” says Oliver.

Watch below:

Unanimous Ruling From Washington State Supreme Court Against Anti-Gay Florist

Barronelle Stutzman

ABC News reports that Barronelle Stutzman, the Washington state florist who refused to sell wedding flowers to a same-sex couple in 2013, has lost again in court.

This time it was a unanimous ruling from the nine Washington state Supreme Court justices who ruled Stutzman discriminated against the gay couple in 2013 according to the state's public accommodation laws.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson and the couple sued her, saying she broke state anti-discrimination and consumer protection laws, and the lower court agreed.

Today, the state's highest court upheld that verdict.

Stutzman's supporters maintain the ruling could "bankrupt" her. The penalty for the public accommodation violation is $1,000. Virulently anti-gay Alliance Defending Freedom is handling her court case for free.

Stutzman's defense was that she had previously sold flowers to the couple, but had to refrain on wedding flowers due to her personal religious beliefs. She feels selling flowers for a wedding she is not attending amounts to "promoting" or "supporting" same-sex marriage.

Stutzman's lawyers say they will now take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Trump Taps Same-Sex Marriage Foe For Education Secretary

Donald Trump has announced his choice for Secretary of Education and it's anti-gay marriage, Amway billionaire Betsy DeVos of Michigan.

In addition to the Amway fortune, the DeVos family also owns the Orlando Magic.

She becomes the second woman to join Donald Trump's cabinet.

DeVos, a former Michigan Republican Party chairwoman, is well known for her support for charter schools and vouchers.

She and her husband, Dick DeVos, are mega-donors to the Michigan Republican party and well-known for their generous donations to GOP officials and candidates.

In 2012, ABC News ran a story on the DeVos which included the fact that they donated $500,000 to the virulently anti-LGBT organization, the National Organization for Marriage (NOM).

Additionally, DeVos and her husband donated $200,000 to Michigan’s ballot measure to ban same-sex marriage.

In other words, they REALLY don't like the gays.

In response to that donation, LGBT activists called for a boycott of health and beauty company Amway, which is owned by DeVos' father.

GLSEN issued this statement regarding the news:

“We are deeply concerned by the nomination of Betsy DeVos for U.S. Secretary of Education. GLSEN is committed to the principle that all students have a right to high-quality public education free from discrimination. DeVos’s record of advocacy for vouchers and tuition tax credits represents a rejection of that principle. We have seen time and time again that so-called “school choice” undercuts civil-rights enforcement and drains public education systems of desperately needed funds. True educational equity requires schools that serve the most at-risk students, including students of color; students with disabilities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning (LGBTQ) students; and English-language learners. Vouchers and tuition tax credits do not advance this cause.

“As we have seen over the past eight years, federal civil rights oversight of education is essential to ensure that all students in this country have real access to opportunity. There is so much to be celebrated in the civil rights gains made during the Obama Administration. As a nation, we must build on that legacy. Over the years, people of good will across the political spectrum have been able to come together to promote the success of all students, and we call upon DeVos to join us in moving forward.”

And this from the National Education Association, the country's largest education labor union with 3 million members:

Every day, educators use their voice to advocate for every student to reach his or her full potential. We believe that the chance for the success of a child should not depend on winning a charter lottery, being accepted by a private school, or living in the right ZIP code. We have, and will continue, to fight for all students to have a great public school in their community and the opportunity to succeed no matter their backgrounds or circumstances.

Betsy DeVos has consistently worked against these values, and her efforts over the years have done more to undermine public education than support students. She has lobbied for failed schemes, like vouchers — which take away funding and local control from our public schools — to fund private schools at taxpayers’ expense. These schemes do nothing to help our most-vulnerable students while they ignore or exacerbate glaring opportunity gaps. She has consistently pushed a corporate agenda to privatize, de-professionalize and impose cookie-cutter solutions to public education. By nominating Betsy DeVos, the Trump administration has demonstrated just how out of touch it is with what works best for students, parents, educators and communities.

But remember, Trump is going to be a "good friend" to the LGBT community.

#right

Anti-LGBT Flip Benham Holds A Rally Of One Ranting About Penises At Charlotte Pride

Flip Benham flips out

Anti-LGBT loon Flip Benham spent a good part of his weekend sitting in a parking lot near one of the stages at Charlotte Pride attempting to ruin the event for thousands and thousands of attendees.

The good news is: he failed.

Armed with a loudspeaker, Benham ranted and raved about penises and rectums drawing a few folks who came to stare at the ridiculous spectacle.

I do wonder why it's always penises and rectums? The hateful anti-Pride folks seem to have no problem with lesbian's vaginas, only the gays penises. Hmm...

In any case, the weekend was a huge success for Charlotte. As a matter of fact, it was a record crowd thanks in part to the state's hateful HB2 law.

From Charlotte’s CBS affiliate:

Last year, 120,000 people made it to Uptown for the Pride celebration. This year, organizers estimated closer to 200,000 people went to the Festival and Parade, including more than 3,500 marchers in the Parade. “This is amazing energy. This just brings you up so much,” said David Pable, one of the marchers.

The Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade aren’t just about the attendance records for the LGBT community. Instead, it has become a safe haven for free expression.

“You see all the people out here enjoying Pride and celebrating who they are, and have a chance to truly be who they are,” said Michelle Money, who went to both the Parade and Festival.

Because of the growth of both events, they were declared extraordinary events for the first time ever, meaning a larger police presence was required. There was pushback by Charlotte Pride, but worries were eased after discussions with CMPD.

(h/t JoeMyGod)

North Carolina Attorney General Won't Defend Anti-LGBT H.B. 2

NC Attorney General Roy Cooper
Photo credit: U.S. Air Force Photo by Airman 1st Class Mindy Bloem

From The Washington Blade:

North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper announced on Tuesday he won’t defend in court the recently enacted measure in his state that’s considered the worst anti-LGBT law in the nation.

Cooper, a Democrat who’s running to become the state’s governor, declared he won’t defend House Bill 2 in court at an 11 am news conference at his office in Raleigh.

“Over the last 15 years, our office has defended the state, its officials and agencies when they’ve been sued,” Cooper said. “Our office will continue to do that, except it will not defend the constitutionality of the discrimination in House Bill 2.”

House Bill 2, signed into law last week by Gov. Pat McCrory after an emergency session of the state legislature, undos all pro-LGBT city ordinances in North Carolina, including the recently approved measure in Charlotte, and prohibits transgender people from using public restrooms consistent with their gender identity in schools and government buildings.