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Kim Davis' Supporters, In Their Own Words: 'Courageous,' 'Heroic' : It's All Politics Davis was honored at the Values Voter summit Friday in Washington, where she had a lot of fans. The Kentucky clerk went to jail after refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

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It's All Politics

Kim Davis' Supporters, In Their Own Words: 'Courageous,' 'Heroic'

  • Kentucky clerk Kim Davis accepts an award from conservative group Family Research Council Friday.
    Kentucky clerk Kim Davis accepts an award from conservative group Family Research Council Friday.
    C-Span
  • Attendees listen to speeches at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C. on Friday.
    Attendees listen to speeches at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C. on Friday.
    Jun Tsuboike/NPR
  • Senator John McCain spoke in the morning, and walked around the exhibit hall. Attendees stopped him while he walked to take photos with the senator from Arizona/former Presidential candidate at the summit.
    Senator John McCain spoke in the morning, and walked around the exhibit hall. Attendees stopped him while he walked to take photos with the senator from Arizona/former Presidential candidate at the summit.
    Jun Tsuboike/NPR
  • The exhibit sponsored by the Conservative Political Action Committee featured a game to match quotes with the presidential candidates.
    The exhibit sponsored by the Conservative Political Action Committee featured a game to match quotes with the presidential candidates.
    Jun Tsuboike/NPR

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Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who went to jail after refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, was honored Friday at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C. She was presented, to a standing ovation, the "Cost of Discipleship" Award by the conservative Family Research Council, which sponsored the summit.

"I am only one, but we are many," she said tearfully as she accepted the award. We spoke to some of Davis' supporters (along with one attendee who doesn't agree with her actions). Hear their voices below:

 

  • Samantha Martinez

    Samantha Martinez at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C. on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015.
    Enlarge this image
    Jun Tsuboike/NPR
    Samantha Martinez at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C. on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015.
    Jun Tsuboike/NPR

    "She took a more outward stance than most of us are able to or have the opportunity to. So I think what she did was very courageous and very brave of her. And I'm glad that people here are taking that opportunity to thank her for what she's done."

  • Thomas Simpson

    Thomas Simpson, a student at Liberty University, at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C. on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015.
    Enlarge this image
    Jun Tsuboike/NPR
    Thomas Simpson, a student at Liberty University, at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C. on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015.
    Jun Tsuboike/NPR

    "I was just walking down the hallway, and then I see a woman — all the pictures I've seen are online with a skirt and super long brown hair — I'm like oh my gosh, that's Kim Davis! I texted my parents like 'I just saw Kim Davis!' I really like Kim Davis ... And I just want her to know that there's people who support her, and are basically praying for her, that she continues just to stay firm in what she believes in."

  • Alex Melusky

    Alex Melusky at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C. on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015.
    Jun Tsuboike/NPR

    Melusky is running for Senate in Arizona.

    "I do support her. It is the law on the books, it is her job as an executive to enforce the laws written by the legislative branch. ... You can't follow the Supreme Court on everything."

  • Tyler Sawyer

    Tyler Sawyer at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C. on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015.
    Jun Tsuboike/NPR

    "I think her actions were heroic."

  • Marquis Gough

    Marquis Gough, a student at Patrick Henry College in Virginia, at the Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C. on Friday, Sept. 25, 2015.
    Jun Tsuboike/NPR

    "Religious liberty is indeed an important thing, I don't think the way she went about it was correct. Personally, I believe that if she disagrees, which she does, with same-sex marriage then either she should have one of her deputies sign these certificates and issue them not in her name or she should simply resign her position. Because she took an oath to uphold the law and the law is now that gay marriage is constitutional whether or not we agree with it."

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