Supreme Court Upholds Same-Sex Marriage Ruling, Rejects Kim Davis's Appeals
The Supreme Court upheld its nationwide same-sex marriage ruling, rejecting appeals from former Kentucky clerk Kim Davis and other challenges, reinforcing the 2015 Obergefell decision.
Overview
Former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis refused same-sex marriage licenses in 2015, leading to legal action and eleven days in jail for violating fundamental rights.
Davis consistently lost her First Amendment arguments in lower courts, which deemed her religious belief-based arguments against same-sex marriage laws weak.
The Supreme Court rejected multiple appeals from Davis and other calls to overturn its landmark 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide.
Despite Justice Clarence Thomas's calls to erase the ruling and original dissents from Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito, the Court declined to revisit the decision.
Following the Supreme Court's rejections, Davis was ordered to pay over $300,000 in damages and legal fees to the same-sex couples she denied licenses.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the Supreme Court's denial of Kim Davis's petition neutrally, focusing on the legal outcome and its implications. They consistently describe the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling as "landmark" and Davis's appeal as a "long-shot," reflecting widely accepted legal assessments. The reporting provides factual background on the case and includes diverse perspectives from legal experts and advocacy groups without adopting an evaluative tone.
Sources (27)
Center (11)
FAQ
Kim Davis was jailed for 11 days in 2015 for contempt of court after refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, defying a federal court order following the Supreme Court's Obergefell v. Hodges decision.
The Supreme Court rejected Kim Davis's appeals and declined to revisit or overturn the Obergefell v. Hodges decision, upholding the nationwide right to same-sex marriage.
Yes, after the Supreme Court rejected her appeals, Kim Davis was ordered to pay over $300,000 in damages and legal fees to the same-sex couples she denied marriage licenses.
Obergefell v. Hodges is the landmark 2015 Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, requiring all states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and recognize such marriages performed in other states.
Since the Obergefell decision in 2015, the Supreme Court has shifted rightward, now including three appointees of President Donald Trump and a 6-justice conservative supermajority.
History
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