The United States Supreme Court has decided not to reconsider the pivotal 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which established marriage equality for same-sex couples. This decision represents a setback for former Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis, who gained national attention for her refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples due to her religious beliefs.
In 2015, Davis became embroiled in a legal controversy when she denied marriage licenses to several same-sex couples, including David Ermold and David Moore. Following her actions, a federal jury ordered Davis to pay $100,000 in damages, a ruling she has sought to challenge with the assistance of the conservative legal organization Liberty Counsel. Davis attempted to leverage her appeal against the monetary judgment as a means to contest the Obergefell ruling itself.
On Monday, the Supreme Court formally announced it would not entertain the challenge to Obergefell, effectively upholding the 2015 decision. Mat Staver, the founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, expressed disappointment with the Court’s choice, vowing to persist in efforts to overturn the landmark ruling. Staver stated, “Davis was jailed, hauled before a jury, and now faces crippling monetary damages based on nothing more than purported hurt feelings.”
The response from pro-LGBTQ+ organizations has been overwhelmingly positive. Kevin Jennings, CEO of Lambda Legal, characterized the case as “frivolous,” celebrating the Supreme Court’s decision as a victory not only for the LGBTQ+ community but also for all who value the principles enshrined in the Constitution. “The court’s decision reaffirms a simple fact: equal protection of the law applies to all, not just some,” Jennings remarked. He added, “This frivolous case now belongs in the trash bin of history.”
Legal experts from Lambda Legal continue to emphasize the importance of safeguarding the rights established in Obergefell. Jenny Pizer, the organization’s senior director of strategic initiatives, highlighted that the decision to decline the case preserves the clarity of marriage equality, noting that LGBTQ+ individuals and their families still require vigilance and protection. “We secured the freedom to marry for same-sex couples over a decade ago, thanks to the powerful stories of thousands of couples and their families throughout the country,” Pizer stated.
The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the case underscores the continuing affirmation of marriage equality in the United States, reinforcing the fundamental rights of liberty and equal protection that the Court recognized in its 2015 ruling. As the landscape of marriage rights evolves, advocates remain committed to ensuring that the progress made is not only preserved but also expanded for future generations.
