In a closely watched case, the U.S. Supreme Court today denied review in Davis v. Ermold, (Docket No. 25-125, certiorari denied 11/10/2025) (Order List.) In the case, the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a $100,000 damage award to a same-sex couple who were refused a marriage license by Rowan County, Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis who had religious objections to same-sex marriage. The certiorari petition asked the Court to decide whether she, as a public official, had a First Amendment free exercise defense to a claim for damages for emotional distress stemming from her refusal. More broadly, it asked the Court to overrule Obergefell v. Hodges which gave constitutional protection to same-sex marriage. AP reports on the court's action.
