Love is (Still) Love: Supreme Court Declines to Hear Kim Davis’ Case
WASHINGTON, DC — The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear Davis v. Ermold, a case in which former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis sought to overturn a lower court ruling that held her liable for refusing to issue a marriage license to a same-sex couple in 2015, despite a court order. Davis also asked the Court to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, the landmark case that secured constitutional marriage protections for same-sex couples.
By refusing to grant certiorari, the Supreme Court left the lower court decision intact, reaffirming that marriage equality remains the law and that public officials cannot avoid legal responsibility by citing anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs.
Public Opinion and Legal Impact
This decision aligns with recent polling from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, showing that a super-majority of Americans support marriage equality protections.
“Today, love won again. When public officials take an oath to serve their communities, that promise extends to everyone — including LGBTQ+ people.”
Key Highlights
- The Supreme Court declined to review Kim Davis’ appeal.
- The ruling upholds the lower court’s decision holding Davis accountable.
- Obergefell v. Hodges remains the prevailing law protecting same-sex marriage rights.
- Public opinion favors marriage equality strongly according to recent polls.
This ruling signals the Court’s current unwillingness to overturn established LGBTQ+ rights and enforces legal accountability for public officials.
Author’s summary: The Supreme Court’s refusal to hear Kim Davis’ case reinforces marriage equality and affirms that public officials cannot deny rights based on personal beliefs.