Idaho House Approves Request to Overturn Gay Marriage Ruling

The resolution calls on the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The Idaho House of Representatives has passed a resolution asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its 2015 landmark ruling that legalized gay marriage across the country. The resolution, sponsored by Republican Rep. Tony Wisniewski, declares the Legislature's desire to 'restore the natural definition of marriage, a union of one man and one woman.' While the resolution is symbolic and does not change the law, it reflects ongoing efforts by some conservatives to challenge the Obergefell v. Hodges decision.

Why it matters

The push to overturn the Supreme Court's gay marriage ruling in Idaho highlights the continued political and social divisions over LGBTQ+ rights, even over a decade after the landmark decision. The resolution reflects the views of some conservative lawmakers who believe the ruling violated religious freedoms, though opponents argue it would harm same-sex couples who have been legally married for years.

The details

The resolution, known as House Joint Memorial 17, was approved by the Idaho House in a 44-26 vote. Sponsor Rep. Tony Wisniewski, a Republican from Post Falls, said the 2015 Obergefell ruling has 'ultimately resulted in a violation of religious rights of individuals and companies.' However, Democratic House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel argued the resolution would be 'very harmful and hurtful to Idahoans' and the thousands of same-sex couples who have been married in the state since 2014, when a federal judge ruled Idaho's constitutional ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional.

  • In 2006, Idaho's Constitution was amended to define marriage as between one man and one woman.
  • In 2014, a federal judge ruled Idaho's constitutional amendment banning gay marriage was unconstitutional, legalizing same-sex marriage in the state a year before the nationwide Obergefell ruling.
  • In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision legalizing gay marriage nationwide.
  • In 2026, the Idaho House passed the resolution asking the Supreme Court to overturn the Obergefell ruling.

The players

Tony Wisniewski

A Republican state representative from Post Falls who sponsored the resolution asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Obergefell v. Hodges decision that legalized gay marriage nationwide.

Ilana Rubel

The Democratic House Minority Leader in Idaho who argued the resolution would be 'very harmful and hurtful to Idahoans' and same-sex couples who have been legally married in the state.

Grayson Stone

A Republican state representative who argued it was inconsistent to use the Bible to justify overturning the Obergefell ruling, while not following other biblical teachings.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing political and social debates over LGBTQ+ rights, even over a decade after the Supreme Court's landmark Obergefell ruling. While the resolution is symbolic, it reflects the views of some conservative lawmakers who believe the decision violated religious freedoms, though opponents argue it would harm same-sex couples who have been legally married for years.