The US Supreme Court has dealt another blow to those seeking to undermine same-sex marriage, rejecting a petition that aimed to overturn the landmark ruling from 2015. Former Kentucky court clerk Kim Davis, who drew national attention for her refusal to issue marriage licenses to gay couples following the Obergefell v. Hodges decision, is at the center of this latest challenge.
Davis had appealed a lower court's order requiring her to pay $360,000 in fines and damages after she was found liable for denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples. However, the Supreme Court has declined to hear the case, issuing a brief and unsigned order that states Davis' petition is denied.
Conservative lawyer Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel called the decision "heartbreaking", vowing that Davis' resolve would lead to more challenges to the court's ruling in Obergefell. The case marked another attempt by those opposed to same-sex marriage to find a way around the landmark decision, which has been hailed as a major victory for LGBTQ+ rights.
In stark contrast, Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson praised the Supreme Court's rejection of the petition, saying "Today, love won again." He noted that refusing to respect others' constitutional rights does not come without consequences. The Democratic Party also weighed in, labeling gay marriage as the "law of the land" and Colorado Governor Jared Polis described the decision as a victory for those fighting for equality under the law.
With this latest rejection, it seems clear that the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling will remain a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ rights in the US. Love has indeed won again, and for now, there's no indication that anyone is about to change course on this front anytime soon.
Davis had appealed a lower court's order requiring her to pay $360,000 in fines and damages after she was found liable for denying marriage licenses to same-sex couples. However, the Supreme Court has declined to hear the case, issuing a brief and unsigned order that states Davis' petition is denied.
Conservative lawyer Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel called the decision "heartbreaking", vowing that Davis' resolve would lead to more challenges to the court's ruling in Obergefell. The case marked another attempt by those opposed to same-sex marriage to find a way around the landmark decision, which has been hailed as a major victory for LGBTQ+ rights.
In stark contrast, Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson praised the Supreme Court's rejection of the petition, saying "Today, love won again." He noted that refusing to respect others' constitutional rights does not come without consequences. The Democratic Party also weighed in, labeling gay marriage as the "law of the land" and Colorado Governor Jared Polis described the decision as a victory for those fighting for equality under the law.
With this latest rejection, it seems clear that the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling will remain a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ rights in the US. Love has indeed won again, and for now, there's no indication that anyone is about to change course on this front anytime soon.