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THE US COUNTY clerk sent to jail in Kentucky for refusing to issue marriage licences to gay couples praised God and thanked her supporters after a judge ordered her release.
Kim Davis, a born-again Christian, was jailed last week for contempt of court after refusing to issue licences due to her opposition to same-sex marriage, which the Supreme Court legalised across the US in June.
Davis (49) has argued that she should be exempt from following the law because of her religious beliefs. She has become a heroine for millions of Americans and rekindled a thorny debate about gay marriage.
Davis was overcome with emotion as she climbed onto a flatbed truck to address the large crowd of supporters gathered outside the Kentucky jail to greet her, the sound of Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger drowning out their cheers.
“I just want to give God the glory,” she said, after thanking those at the rally.
“We serve a living God who knows exactly where each and every one of us is at. Just keep on pressing. Don’t let down because he is here. He’s worthy.”
Her fourth husband was present at the rally.
Supporters waved white crosses and signs declaring “Religious Freedom” and “Courts Don’t Make Laws”.
The federal judge who ordered Davis held on contempt charges ruled that she could be released because five of the six deputy clerks in Rowan County “stated under oath that they would comply with the Court’s Order and issue marriage certificates to all legally eligible couples”.
Davis was ordered not to “interfere in any way, directly or indirectly” with the issuance of marriage certificates, Judge David Bunning wrote, warning of “appropriate sanctions” should she do so.
Eye of the Tiger
The songwriter behind Eye of the Tiger protested said he did not approve of Davis using the 1982 hit.
Frankie Sullivan, the guitarist and main songwriter from Chicago band Survivor, said she did not have permission to use the song.
“I would not grant her the rights to use Charmin!” Sullivan wrote on Facebook, referring to a brand of toilet paper.
He also complained about presidential candidate Mike Huckabee’s appearance at yesterday’s rally with Davis, saying that the former Arkansas governor should “do better” than frontrunner contender Donald Trump, a blunt-spoken billionaire.
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No one truly understands the heartbreak but the response of the community has been magnificent.
That special bond between this mother and daughter should be supported in every way possible.
It might help her if she decides to move away and make a new life with her baby, I can’t imagine how much it hurts to be in a place where they should be. Or help pay mortgage etc and not worry financially. No doubt she would give it back in a second to spend one more hour with them.
Ah she’s hardly going move anyway she still has lots family around , say that is very important
It’s heartwarming to see something positive coming from such an awful tragedy…..while nothing will take away their pain and grief hopefully it will at least give them one thing less to worry about for the moment
Money means nothing in a situation like this but fair play to all involved.
Of course not Shane but in the day’s and year’s ahead it will mean a lot. It would be nice for her to have no mortgage or rent to worry about, she’ll have enough to deal with. People want to help her and putting a few quid into an account for her is a way of doing it
It’s not about the money – it is a reflection on how many are/were willing to help you in your time of need. Collections were made by the local community for my own family tragedy and I often look back and cherish the memory that people were there to help. Fair play to all who donated. This story has affected people in all corners of the world- on the DM people from the UK and US were looking to donate also.
We cannot bring them back so this is just a way of sending support. Hard times ahead but hopefully this will help.
Love your surname Mary.
Ta Brian, it’s almost as good as your profile pic ;)
This is probably the worst tragedy I have ever heard of how is that women gonna cope with this when things settle down that’s the scary part
I know it’s too late for this poor family. I can’t stop thinking about them. Slipways at piers everywhere now should be gated off like in that photo so nothing like this can happen again. Very very sad and upsetting.
if ever a ‘go fund me’ was needed; this one is surely it
Glad to see people rallied around. The money won’t replace her family but it will cover their funerals and give her and her little girl some security for now. Such a terrible tragedy.
Woman
The headline says it could happen to anybody yet we don’t hear of people driving off slipways every day.
have your say