The case was brought by Kim Davis, a former county clerk from Kentucky who in 2015 refused to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples, citing her religious beliefs. Davis became a symbol of conservative resistance to marriage equality and was briefly jailed for defying a court order.

In her latest appeal, Davis asked the Supreme Court not only to reconsider her personal case but also to revisit the landmark ruling Obergefell v. Hodges, which established marriage equality nationwide. The justices declined to hear the case, offering no comment.

The rejection comes at a time when LGBTQI+ organisations remain cautious, particularly after the court’s controversial 2022 decision to overturn the federal right to abortion. Justice Clarence Thomas suggested at the time that previous rulings, including those protecting same-sex marriage, should also be reconsidered, sparking widespread concern within the LGBTQI+ community.

Davis’s lawyers, from the conservative group Liberty Counsel, said they would continue their efforts to challenge Obergefell. However, despite the court’s conservative 6–3 majority, there appears to be little appetite among most justices to revisit the right to marriage for same-sex couples.

While the decision brings relief to many LGBTQI+ Americans, advocacy groups warn that in recent years religious freedoms have often been prioritised over LGBTQI+ rights in court rulings. The legal struggle for full equality, they stress, is far from over.