Attorney General Ken Paxton
Following Friday’s historic Supreme Court legalizing same-sex marriage, the state’s top law enforcement officer said county clerks and other officials may refuse to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples on religious grounds.
“It is important to note that any clerk who wishes to defend their religious objections and who chooses not to issue licenses may well face litigation and/or a fine. But, numerous lawyers stand ready to assist clerks defending their religious beliefs, in many cases on a pro-bono basis, and I will do everything I can from this office to be a public voice for those standing in defense of their rights,” Paxton wrote in his opinion. You can read the full statement here.
The opinion released today (Sunday, June 28) comes following a Thursday, June 25 request for an opinion from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
Both have stated their opposition to marriage equality and other LGBT issues.