American middle-distance runner Nikki Hiltz recently reflected on the landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court, which refused to reconsider its 2015 judgment affirming the validity of same-sex marriage.
According to multiple reports, Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis had appealed to the court to overturn the 2015 verdict after she refused to issue same-sex marriage licenses. However, the Supreme Court, in a unanimous ruling, turned down the petition.
In response, Nikki Hiltz shared a selfie with their partner, Emma Gee, on their Instagram story, captioned:
“Happy F**k Kim Davis Day to all those who celebrate!! But in all seriousness, I’m so grateful marriage equality is safe. If everyone could now bring that same energy to help the trans community who is getting hit from every direction, that would be like really cool.”
Hiltz also shared a Thread post from another user that read:
“Girls be like ‘I needed this’ and it’s just the Supreme Court declining to revisit Obergefell and telling Kim Davis to kick rocks. It’s me. I’m girls.”
Previously, Nikki Hiltz had expressed strong views on the Supreme Court’s decision to consider the petition against same-sex marriage, proclaiming that no court should decide who one can or cannot build their life with.
### Reflections on Struggles Amidst World Championship Heartbreak
After finishing fifth in the women’s 1500m finals at the World Championships, Hiltz opened up about their struggles as a non-binary athlete. In an interview on the Citius Mag podcast, Hiltz shared:
“There were just so many things that happened along the way that were kind of like, just change. And like, even though they were really good changes, and I’d do them all over again, it’s just hard. Then you add in, I guess, the state of the world right now and the way trans people are getting—harassed, assaulted, attacked, their rights taken away—and like, to be a member of that community and just to see that happening day in and day out.”
(1:01:00 onwards)
In another interview with Olympics.com, Hiltz discussed their identity as a non-binary athlete:
“I’m just like competitive as hell. When I get on the track, I just want to beat everyone. But I’m not always going to be an athlete. I’m always going to be trans. So it’s a really cool point in my life where I get to be both, loudly and proudly.”
### Coming Out as Non-Binary
Nikki Hiltz was born female but publicly came out as a non-binary athlete in 2021, on the occasion of the International Transgender Day of Visibility. Since then, they have been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, using their platform to support both the broader queer community and specifically transgender and non-binary individuals.
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*Edited by Animesh Pandey*
https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/olympics/news-so-grateful-marriage-equality-safe-nikki-hiltz-makes-feelings-clear-supreme-court-s-landmark-decision