In the words of Robert Frost, “good fences make good neighbors.” Unfortunately, this hasn’t been the case for Avondale couple, Keith Davis and David Ruth, who were sued last year by five of six neighboring homeowners for erecting a six-foot fence.

After moving into the Bucktoe Manor subdivision of New Garden Township in 2014 to provide the space for their growing family, Davis and Ruth erected a fence on their property for security reasons.

Since then, the couple says they have been subject to homophobia and harassment. Anti-LGBT words were painted on their garage door and their new fence has since been vandalized several times.

“This case is not at all about a fence,” Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey R. Sommer wrote in his 18-page ruling in favor of the Davis-Ruth household.

The family now faces $80,000 in legal fees and over $400,000 in lost business revenue, as a result of ongoing legal dealings.

When asked about next steps, Davis said the couple is “still in limbo over what the future holds, but we will work to dig ourselves out of debt.”

The neighbors have until today to file an appeal. “An appeal could mean another $80,000 in legal fees,” worries Davis.

“We are waiting on pins and needles.”

While the family feels safe behind their doors, they’re “not comfortable walking around the development.” And threats continue as neighbors have allegedly left negative comments on the NBC Facebook page featuring the couple and their story.

Davis is pleasantly surprised by local, regional, and national support. Earlier this week, People magazine reached out to the Davis-Ruth family to offer a feature article on their story.

As of this morning, Davis and Ruth have collected over $25,000 through GoFundMe, raising nearly a third of their $77,000 goal.

A call from the Gay Dads Group gave Davis a “different perspective on how many families there are out there made up of same-sex couples with children.”

And Reverend Lydia from the Church of the Open Door offered Davis much needed community reassurance.

The big question still unanswered is, why didn’t the sixth neighboring family offer their support during this “15-month hell-like experience”?

“They were appalled by the garage graffiti,” says Davis. “They offered to help paint the garage, but didn’t offer ongoing support.” Instead, they expressed their desire for the case to go away. Davis reasons that they were “afraid to be chastised by other community members by taking sides.”

During the week of August 15th, the Davis-Ruth household will host a thank you fundraiser. Details are coming. If you’d like to sponsor this event, please contact rachel@lgbteadances.org.

If you’d like to make a donation to help Davis and Ruth keep their home, please visit their GoFundMe page.