A central New York local judge is facing calls to resign after she allegedly refused to officiate a same-sex marriage last month.
Syracuse City Court Judge Felicia Pitts-Davis refused to marry a lesbian couple last month according to reporting by Syracuse.com, potentially violating rules for New York judges and state law.
“If a judge can’t follow the law and do her job as directed by the New York state constitution and the United States Supreme Court, she should step down,” state Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Brad Hoylman-Sigal told The Post Wednesday.
“I find it appalling that someone who professes to work on behalf of the public takes a piecemeal approach to their responsibility,” Hoylman-Sigal, who is gay, told The Post.
Syracuse City Auditor Alex Marion said members of the community “deserve better” regardless their sexual orientation.
“I believe it is just and appropriate for Judge Pitts-Davis to step down so all the people of our community can be assured they receive equal treatment under the law,” Marion, who is also gay, said in a statement. “If she does not, the Office of Court Administration should promptly suspend her from the bench.”
According to Syracuse.com’s reporting, Shawntay Davis and Niccora Davis went to the Syracuse Courthouse to be married on Nov. 16. They watched Pitts-Davis marry a heterosexual couple, but when it was their turn, the judge disappeared.
A different judge later married the couple.
A spokesperson for the state court system said the allegations have been brought to their attention and the matter is being referred to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
“Discrimination of any kind is not tolerated by the UCS,” the Office of Court Administration spokesperson wrote in a statement.
“Under New York Law, Judges are authorized, but not obligated, to perform marriages. Judges who choose to perform marriages may not unlawfully discriminate when deciding which couples they will marry,” the spokesperson continued.
A voicemail left at Pitts-Davis’ chambers was not returned Wednesday.
Pitts-Davis has a spotty track record in the Salt City.
In 2011, she was fired by then-Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner from her job leading a civilian review board tasked with investigating allegations of police misconduct after it was revealed that she ignored subpoenas to testify on cases and largely ignored the work her office was supposed to carry out.
In 2022, the judge’s husband, Alfonso Davis, was caught trying to pass through security at the Rochester Airport with a loaded gun hidden in an arm sling. He had previously run for Syracuse mayor.
