At Least the Supreme Court Didn't Overturn Same-Sex Marriage

"Gay Americans and their allies had been on alert since the Supreme Court's conservative majority eliminated the nationwide right to abortion after 50 years, showing a willingness to undo longstanding legal precedent. In that decision, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote separately to urge reconsideration of the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, which recognized same-sex marriage nationwide. Polls show that same-sex marriage now has broad public support."

"More than three dozen House Republicans helped pass legislation in 2022 that required states and the federal government to recognize the validity of same-sex marriages. Mary Bonauto, the lawyer who argued the Obergefell case before the Supreme Court, praised the court's action. Today, millions of Americans can breathe a sigh of relief for their families, current or hoped for, because all families deserve equal rights under the law, she said in a statement."

"It could be that not even this Court wanted anything to do with plaintiff Kim Davis, the kook county clerk from Kentucky who refused to issue licenses to same-sex couples, and whose 15 minutes were up two years ago. From Slate: Davis v. Ermold, the case that SCOTUS swatted away on Monday, was always a long-shot appeal. Many Americans likely remember the petitioner, a Kentucky clerk who refused to grant a marriage license to a same-sex couple in the wake of Obergefell, citing God's authority."

The Supreme Court's conservative majority declined to overturn the landmark decision legalizing same-sex marriage, leaving Obergefell intact. Widespread concern followed the Court's elimination of the nationwide right to abortion, which suggested a willingness to undo longstanding precedent. Justice Clarence Thomas urged reconsideration of Obergefell in a separate opinion during the abortion decision. Polling shows broad public support for same-sex marriage, and more than three dozen House Republicans supported 2022 legislation to require recognition of same-sex marriages. Mary Bonauto praised the outcome as relief for millions. The Court rejected a long-shot appeal from Kim Davis, who had refused licenses and faced legal consequences.

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