Kim Davis Petitions Supreme Court to Overturn Same-Sex Marriage Ruling

Kim Davis, the former Kentucky county clerk jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the landmark 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. Represented by Liberty Counsel, Davis argues that the ruling is a "legal fiction" and that her refusal was protected by the First Amendment's religious freedom, seeking to challenge the constitutional basis of marriage equality itself. Her appeal comes amid a conservative-dominated Supreme Court that has shown willingness to revisit precedents, though initial reactions suggest skepticism from the justices. Legal experts warn that a reversal could invalidate marriage protections in many states lacking their own equality laws, potentially allowing denial of new licenses despite federal laws like the Respect for Marriage Act. The petition has reignited cultural and political debates, with criticism directed at President Trump for his silence and at declining Republican support for same-sex marriage. While Davis’s challenge is seen as a long shot by many legal analysts, it represents a significant attempt by evangelical legal groups to reshape First Amendment interpretations and religious liberty protections in America.