In a decisive signal to the nation, the Supreme Court of the United States declined on 10 November 2025 to hear a case brought by former Kentucky clerk Kim Davis, effectively upholding the landmark 2015 decision Obergefell v. Hodges that guaranteed same-sex couples the right to marry nationwide.

Davis, who in 2015 refused on religious grounds to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples, had tried to use her case to overturn the ruling and avoid paying more than $300,000 in damages. Although the Court has a conservative majority and in recent years made waves by striking down other protections (notably in the abortion rights decision), this refusal suggests it sees same-sex marriage as settled law.

Advocates hailed the move as a win for equality and stability—emphasizing that governmental officials must respect constitutional rights even when personal beliefs differ. In short, this moment reaffirms that the right to marry should not be treated as negotiable.