Potential same-sex marriage ban; can the USA still be ‘The Land of the Free’?

By Abby Campbell and Kayleigh Morrison 

US Supreme Court [Unsplash]

Tomorrow, the US Supreme Court will decide in a private meeting whether they should hear former Kentucky clerk, Kim Davis’ case on why same-sex marriages should be banned. 

On September 3, 2015, Davis was jailed for refusing to issue marriage licenses to LGBTQIA+ couples due to her own religious beliefs. Five days later, she was released on the condition of not interfering with the issuing of any more same-sex licenses. She was supported by many people including Republican candidate running for president. 

Washington pride march [getty Images]

The Obergefell v. Hodges case was introduced in 2015, which declared that the 14th amendment guaranteed the right for queer couples to marry. The case won with a 5-4 vote within the Supreme Court and requires that all 50 states recognise and perform same-sex marriages. The ruling had a profound positive impact on the LGBTQIA+ community who had been fighting for the right for years and was a step towards the free country that the US claims to be.  

However, recently some parties, including Davis, have been raising issues with the bill and appear intent on having it overturned. The current Conservative/Republican majority within the Supreme Court is causing distress to people who do not want the bill overturned. Many with Conservative values are known to be opposed to same-sex relations, including speculation about President Trump himself, who seems to have inconsistent views on the topic. 

Gay marriage [getty images]

In 2022, the Respect for Marriage Act was introduced into the law as well. This protects inter-racial and same sex marriage and requires all states to recognise marriages officiated outwith the United States, regardless of gender, race or sexuality.