Idaho House Votes to Ask Supreme Court to Overturn Gay Marriage Ruling

Resolution calls for reversal of 2015 decision legalizing 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, argues the ruling has "ultimately resulted in a violation of religious rights of individuals and companies." The measure now heads to the state Senate for consideration.

Why it matters

This move by the Idaho legislature represents an ongoing effort by some conservative states to challenge the Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision, which established a nationwide right to same-sex marriage. While the resolution is largely symbolic, it signals continued opposition to marriage equality in parts of the country.

The details

In 2006, Idaho amended its state constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman. However, in 2014 a federal judge ruled this amendment unconstitutional, legalizing gay marriage in the state a year before the nationwide Obergefell ruling. The new resolution calls on the Supreme Court to "restore the natural definition of marriage" and reverse its earlier decision.

  • The Idaho House passed the resolution on March 10, 2026.
  • The U.S. Supreme Court declined to revisit the Obergefell decision in November 2025 amid a challenge from former Kentucky clerk Kim Davis.

The players

Tony Wisniewski

A Republican state representative from Post Falls who sponsored the resolution.

Ilana Rubel

The Democratic House Minority Leader, who criticized the resolution as "harmful and hurtful to Idahoans."

Grayson Stone

A Republican state representative who argued it was inconsistent to apply parts of the Bible as a reason to overturn the gay marriage ruling.

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What they’re saying

“We must restore the natural definition of marriage, a union of one man and one woman.”

— Tony Wisniewski, State Representative (Idaho Capital Sun)

“It is, affirmatively, very harmful and hurtful to Idahoans. It's harmful to the thousands of same-sex married couples in Idaho, many of whom have been married for 10 years or more.”

— Ilana Rubel, House Minority Leader (Idaho Capital Sun)

“If we're going to follow one verse of the Scripture, we should follow the other and look at Leviticus. What's it tell us in Leviticus? Thou shalt not shave thy head or thy beard. I just don't understand why we have to apply the Bible to specific aspects of our life, but not all of it.”

— Grayson Stone, State Representative (Idaho Capital Sun)

What’s next

The resolution will now go to the Idaho Senate for consideration.

The takeaway

This move by the Idaho legislature reflects ongoing efforts by some conservative states to challenge the Supreme Court's landmark 2015 ruling legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. While largely symbolic, the resolution signals continued opposition to marriage equality in parts of the country.