Supreme Court Rejects Kim Davis‘ Challenge to Same-Sex Marriage Ruling
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court on November 10, 2025, declined to hear a case brought by Kim davis, the former Rowan County, Kentucky clerk, seeking to revisit the landmark 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The denial leaves the ruling intact, affirming the constitutional right of same-sex couples to marry.
Davis’ petition argued that the Obergefell decision infringed upon her religious freedom.Lower courts had previously dismissed her claims, and legal scholars widely predicted the Supreme Court would not take up the case. The move comes amid a renewed effort by conservative groups to challenge established marriage equality precedents and allow states to individually regulate marriage policies.
In 2015, Davis gained national attention for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, citing her religious objections. She was briefly jailed for contempt of court before a deputy clerk began issuing the licenses. Davis subsequently filed a lawsuit against the governor of Kentucky, alleging that he had harmed her career and reputation.
The Supreme Court’s decision not to review the case is a notable victory for LGBTQ+ rights advocates, who have expressed concern over recent legal challenges to marriage equality. While Obergefell remains the law of the land, the current conservative makeup of the Court has fueled speculation about potential future challenges to the ruling.This denial, however, signals a reluctance to revisit the issue at this time.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.