Sally Field’s son Sam Greisman is calling out Kim Davis in unfiltered terms. The 37-year-old writer-producer fired off a blistering post on X, reacting to headlines about Davis’s latest legal move. Davis, a former Kentucky county clerk, has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its 2015 landmark decision granting same-sex couples the right to marry. Greisman’s response was swift and sharp, reading simply, “Not this hideous bitch again.” The comment quickly drew attention online. It reignited discussion over Davis’s long history of opposing marriage equality. The Supreme Court case she seeks to undo, Obergefell v. Hodges, remains one of the most consequential rulings in LGBTQ+ rights history.
The Landmark Case at the Center
Obergefell v. Hodges began with 16 same-sex couples in Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. They filed federal district court cases demanding the right to marry. The legal battle escalated to the Supreme Court, which ruled in 2015 that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marriage. The decision legalized gay marriage in all 50 states. Kim Davis became a national figure in the aftermath. As Rowan County Clerk, she refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. She cited a religious exemption under the First Amendment as her justification.
Davis’s refusal led to lawsuits, including Miller v. Davis. She appealed to the Supreme Court, but the court declined to hear her case. Even after that, Davis still refused to comply. Her defiance resulted in a contempt of court charge. She was arrested and spent nearly a week in jail. During her absence, deputy clerks issued licenses to couples in her stead.
The legal fallout continued for years. In 2023, a jury awarded $100,000 to David Ermold and David Moore, a couple denied a license by Davis. In 2024, a federal judge ordered her to pay $260,000 in attorneys’ fees to those impacted. The judgments underscored the ongoing legal consequences of her actions. They also reignited public debate about her role in the marriage equality battle.
A Political and Cultural Flashpoint
Davis’s stand against marriage equality drew national political attention. In 2016, presidential candidates weighed in. Hillary Clinton declared that marriage equality was the law of the land and said officials must uphold it. Donald Trump acknowledged the Supreme Court’s authority, saying Davis would have to go with the ruling. Their comments reflected the divide over her defiance.
Her actions also made her a polarizing figure beyond politics. Supporters praised her for standing by her beliefs. Critics accused her of undermining civil rights. The controversy fueled intense media coverage. Her refusal to issue licenses became a defining moment in the post-Obergefell debate.
The backlash was not only political but deeply personal for many. LGBTQ+ advocates saw her as a symbol of resistance to equal rights. For them, her latest Supreme Court filing feels like reopening an old wound. Greisman’s public rebuke reflects that sentiment. It captures the frustration felt by those who fought for marriage equality.
The Personal Side of the Fight
Greisman is not just a critic from afar. His mother, actress Sally Field, has been a visible advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Field, now 78, has spoken openly about fighting for her son’s future. In a 2022 interview with The Advocate, she said she wants him to have the freedom to marry and raise a family. Her advocacy is rooted in her family’s reality.
Field has three sons, Peter and Eli with her first husband Steven Craig, and Sam with her second husband Alan Greisman. Her support for equality has been consistent throughout her career. She has used her platform to speak out on LGBTQ+ issues for decades.
The criticism of Davis also extends to questions of personal consistency. Some noted her multiple divorces in light of her defense of marriage sanctity. The Freedom From Religion Foundation pointed out that divorce rates are lower among same-sex couples than heterosexual ones. They added that Davis’s four marriages skew the numbers in favor of straight couples having higher divorce rates. This argument has resurfaced as she pushes her latest Supreme Court challenge.