Jim Obergefell expresses concern as Supreme Court mulls hearing on marriage equality challenge

In a move sparking concern among LGBTQ+ advocates, the Supreme Court is scheduled to deliberate on Friday whether to grant Kim Davis a hearing regarding her challenge to marriage equality.

Kim Davis, the former Kentucky county clerk who gained notoriety for her opposition to same-sex marriage following the Obergefell v. Hodges decision in 2015, is seeking Supreme Court intervention. As Advocate reports, Davis is not only challenging her financial settlement in a civil case, which she lost in lower courts, but is also urging the court to reconsider the landmark ruling that established marriage equality nationwide.

While Davis's petition primarily addresses her personal liability for emotional-distress damages, her legal team is advocating for a broader examination of the constitutional right to marry. This has triggered apprehension within the LGBTQ+ community, evoking memories of the divisive battle surrounding Davis's resistance to marriage equality.

Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the Obergefell v. Hodges case, and Josh Rovenger, legal director at GLAD Law, have both voiced their unease regarding the situation. They view the court's consideration of Davis's petition as a critical juncture in determining the nation's commitment to upholding the principle of marriage equality.