WASHINGTON (AP) — In a significant legal development, the U.S. Supreme Court has opted not to revisit its landmark decision that established the legality of same-sex marriage on a national scale. This ruling stems from an appeal by Kim Davis, a former Kentucky county clerk, who gained notoriety for her refusal to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples following the historic 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges.
In rejecting Davis's appeal without comment, the Supreme Court has effectively upheld the financial damages awarded to a couple she denied a marriage license, with Davis contesting a lower court order requiring her to pay $360,000 in damages and legal fees.
The case highlighted differing views within the court, particularly regarding Justice Clarence Thomas, who has voiced a desire to overturn the same-sex marriage ruling. Thomas was part of the dissenting opinion back in 2015, alongside Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito. While Roberts has remained largely silent on the issue, Alito has publicly criticized the original ruling but has not called for its reversal.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who joined the court after the Obergefell decision, has indicated a cautious approach to potential reversals of significant rulings, suggesting that same-sex marriage may rest on different foundations than issues such as abortion.
The Human Rights Campaign celebrated the Supreme Court's decision not to intervene, asserting that the ruling illustrates the consequences of refusing to acknowledge the constitutional rights of others. Kelley Robinson, president of the organization, remarked, 'The Supreme Court made clear today that refusing to respect the constitutional rights of others does not come without consequences.'
Davis's actions in 2015 drew national attention as she became an emblematic figure in the marriage equality struggle, publicly defying court orders until she was ultimately jailed for contempt of court. After her release, state laws were enacted to remove the names of county clerks from marriage licenses, aiming to avoid similar conflicts in the future.
Despite her past notoriety, Davis lost her reelection bid in 2018, marking a pivotal shift in her political journey. The ongoing discourse surrounding same-sex marriage in America continues, underscored by the Supreme Court's composition and its interpretations of constitutional rights.
