US Supreme Court Denies Petition to Overturn Same-Sex Marriage Rights
US Supreme Court refuses to revisit 2015 same-sex marriage ruling, preserving equality while balancing religious freedom.
Raja Awais Ali
11/10/20251 min read
Supreme Court Rejects Kim Davis’ Petition
On Monday, November 10, 2025, the US Supreme Court declined to hear a petition from former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis, who sought to overturn the landmark 2015 ruling legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. By refusing to review the case, the Court leaves the Obergefell v. Hodges precedent intact, signaling that this settled civil rights issue will remain unchanged.
Kim Davis became nationally known in 2015 after she refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, citing her religious beliefs. She later asked the Supreme Court to reconsider the 2015 decision, arguing that her prosecution for denying licenses violated her religious freedom.
The Supreme Court dismissed the petition without hearing oral arguments, effectively reinforcing lower-court rulings that government officials performing official duties cannot deny citizens their constitutional rights based on personal beliefs.
The 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision established that same-sex couples have the same constitutional right to marry as heterosexual couples. It prohibits states from banning or refusing to recognize same-sex marriages and remains a cornerstone of modern civil rights law.
Legal experts note that the Court’s action implicitly preserves marriage equality and reinforces the judiciary’s commitment to fundamental civil rights. While debates around religious freedom and individual conscience are likely to continue, the 2015 ruling stands firm, ensuring equality for all Americans, regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
The case also highlights the delicate balance between religious expression and equal protection under the law. While personal religious beliefs remain protected, public servants cannot use them to deny constitutional rights.
Ten years after its legalization, same-sex marriage in the United States remains a protected and recognized right, reaffirming that every American is entitled to equal treatment under the Constitution.