Case Summary
**Case Summary: David Ermold v. Kim Davis**
**Docket Number**: 14528670
**Court**: United States District Court (specific court not provided)
**Background**:
The case of David Ermold v. Kim Davis arose from a significant civil rights issue surrounding same-sex marriage. In 2015, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right. Following this landmark decision, Kim Davis, the Clerk of Rowan County, Kentucky, refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, citing her religious beliefs as the basis for her actions. David Ermold, along with his partner, sought a marriage license from Davis but was denied, prompting legal action.
**Plaintiff**: David Ermold, a same-sex couple directly affected by Davis's refusal to issue marriage licenses.
**Defendant**: Kim Davis, Rowan County Clerk, who was responsible for issuing marriage licenses in Kentucky.
**Legal Claims**:
David Ermold filed a lawsuit against Kim Davis, alleging that her refusal to issue a marriage license violated his constitutional rights, specifically the right to equal protection and due process under the Fourteenth Amendment. The case highlighted tensions between religious freedom and LGBTQ+ rights.
**Key Issues**:
1. **Constitutional Rights**: Whether Kim Davis's actions constituted a violation of David Ermold's constitutional rights as a same-sex couple.
2. **Religious Freedom vs. Equal Protection**: The balance between Davis's claimed religious beliefs and the rights of same-sex couples under the law.
**Outcome**:
The case garnered significant media attention and public interest due to its implications for LGBTQ+ rights and the role of public officials who cite religious objections. Ultimately, the lawsuit resulted in a settlement, with Davis agreeing to comply with the law, and she resigned from her position as county clerk. The court may have also issued injunctions aimed at preventing her from further discrimination against same-sex couples.
**Significance**:
This case served as a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights in the United States, marking a critical examination of how personal beliefs intersect with civil rights in public service. It underscored the importance of upholding the law and protecting individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation.
**Conclusion**:
The resolution of David Ermold v. Kim Davis contributed to the broader discourse on equality and civil rights, affirming the legal recognition of same-sex marriage and the obligations of public officials to adhere to the law, regardless of personal beliefs.