A wave of relief and celebration spread across Connecticut on Monday after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to revisit its historic 2015 decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. The ruling means that marriage equality — guaranteed under Obergefell v. Hodges — remains the law of the land, despite recent challenges that sought to overturn it.
The case stemmed from a petition filed by Kim Davis, the former Kentucky county clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples following the Obergefell ruling. Davis, who faced civil penalties for her defiance, appealed her case to the nation’s highest court, hoping to reignite debate over same-sex marriage rights. On November 10, the Supreme Court quietly rejected the appeal without comment — a move seen as a significant victory for LGBTQ+ rights supporters.
In a term filled with politically charged cases, the Court’s decision not to take up the Davis appeal sends a clear message: the constitutional right to marry remains protected. Despite the Court’s current conservative majority, justices opted not to reopen the divisive debate that reshaped American family law a decade ago.
For Connecticut, a state that has recognized same-sex marriage since 2008, the announcement brought reassurance and joy. Advocacy groups across the state praised the decision, emphasizing the importance of maintaining legal stability and equality for all couples. “This is a moment of peace,” said one LGBTQ+ advocate in Hartford. “Connecticut families can rest easy knowing their marriages are still recognized and protected under federal law.”
Legal experts agree that the Court’s refusal to hear the case reinforces the enduring power of the Obergefell decision. “The justices could have signaled an openness to reconsider marriage equality, but they chose not to,” said constitutional law professor Laura Benton. “That’s a meaningful silence.”
The decision also comes amid growing concern about the future of civil rights precedents in the United States. Following the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022, many LGBTQ+ Americans feared that Obergefell could face a similar fate. Monday’s decision suggests the Court is not yet willing to reopen that battle — a relief to millions of married same-sex couples nationwide.
In Connecticut, where same-sex marriage was legalized by the state Supreme Court’s 2008 decision in Kerrigan v. Commissioner of Public Health, the federal Court’s move reinforces local protections and affirms more than 15 years of progress. Couples and allies gathered in New Haven and Stamford to celebrate, many expressing both gratitude and caution. “We’re relieved, but we can’t take equality for granted,” one couple shared. “Rights have to be defended every day.”
For now, the Supreme Court’s refusal to revisit same-sex marriage marks a major victory for equality and stability, ensuring that love — and the right to marry — remain protected in Connecticut and across the nation.
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