The Supreme Court declined on Monday to revisit its 2015 ruling establishing nationwide marriage equality after former Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis petitioned justices to reconsider the precedent. Davis, who spent five days incarcerated for contempt after refusing to authorize same-sex marriages, citing religious convictions, sought a reversal of a judgment ordering her to compensate a couple more than $300,000 in damages and legal expenses.
The justices rejected her appeal without explanation, requiring at least four votes to advance such a challenge. Legal observers noted the current conservative majority appears reluctant to disturb established protections despite earlier concerns following the abortion rights reversal, with Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Justice Neil Gorsuch recently acknowledging marriage as a fundamental right that citizens have relied upon. More than 800,000 same-sex couples have wed since the original decision.
Attorney Mary Bonauto, who argued the landmark case, expressed relief for millions of families while advocates cautioned against complacency regarding future attempts to undermine marriage equality protections.
The justices rejected her appeal without explanation, requiring at least four votes to advance such a challenge. Legal observers noted the current conservative majority appears reluctant to disturb established protections despite earlier concerns following the abortion rights reversal, with Justice Amy Coney Barrett and Justice Neil Gorsuch recently acknowledging marriage as a fundamental right that citizens have relied upon. More than 800,000 same-sex couples have wed since the original decision.
Attorney Mary Bonauto, who argued the landmark case, expressed relief for millions of families while advocates cautioned against complacency regarding future attempts to undermine marriage equality protections.
