On Friday, December 6, 2024, The Advocate reported that a city court judge in Syracuse, New York, is under investigation and facing calls for resignation after refusing to officiate a wedding for a lesbian couple. Judge Felicia Pitts-Davis declined to marry Shawntay and Nicorra Davis on November 16, shortly after officiating a marriage for a heterosexual couple.
The incident occurred when Judge Pitts-Davis allegedly left the courtroom upon realizing that the next couple to be married was same-sex. According to Shawntay Davis, the judge reacted by swishing her hair and walking away, which left the couple confused. Another judge, Mary Anne Doherty, who identifies as LGBTQ+, then stepped in to officiate the wedding.
The refusal has prompted an investigation by the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct. A court spokesperson confirmed that they were aware of the allegations and had referred the matter to the Commission, emphasizing that discrimination in any form is not tolerated within the Unified Court System (UCS). Under New York law, while judges have the discretion to perform marriages, they are prohibited from unlawfully discriminating against couples.
Since the incident, Pitts-Davis has faced significant pressure to resign. Syracuse City Auditor Alexander Marion, who is also part of the LGBTQ+ community, expressed his concern over the judge’s actions and called for her resignation to ensure equal treatment under the law for all residents. He stated that if she does not resign, the Office of Court Administration should consider suspending her.
The New York Marriage Equality Act of 2011 guarantees marriage equality and a recent referendum solidified protections against discrimination for LGBTQ+ individuals in the state constitution. In light of these laws, a petition initiated by the LGBTQ+ organization CNY Pride has gathered nearly 1,300 signatures, demanding Pitts-Davis’s resignation. The petition asserts that the judge violated her judicial oath and undermined the principles of her elected role.
Shawntay and Nicorra Davis, while disappointed by the judge’s actions, chose to focus on their wedding day. Nicorra expressed frustration over the incident, feeling that it reflected a broader issue of discrimination against same-sex couples. Despite the ordeal, Shawntay encouraged others to embrace their identities and love freely, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance.
The situation continues to unfold as community members and officials respond to the judge’s refusal and its implications for the LGBTQ+ community in Syracuse and beyond.
Source: The Advocate
