Plano couple Vic Holmes, far left, and Mark Phariss and Austin couple Cleopatra DeLeon and Nicole Dimetman in federal San Antonio court Feb. 12. (Photo courtesy of Randy Bear)
While marriage equality cases across the country have had expedited hearings on whether same-sex couples have the right to marry, Texas’ case at the appellate level won’t have the same treatment.
The 5th Circuit of Appeals issued a ruling Wednesday that denied the same-sex couples’ request to expedite the trial, court records show.
A federal San Antonio district judge ruled that the state’s marriage amendment was unconstitutional back in February after arguments for a preliminary injunction, which would have prevented state officials from enforcing the law. But the judge also ordered a stay pending appeal. The state did appeal, followed by a request to speed up the hearing about the injunction.
The appeals court hasn’t set a date for arguments.
With all the support for same-sex marriage over the last year, it seems members of the Conservative Republicans of Texas are not too pleased. They are planning a “Defense of Texas Marriage Amendment Rally” on June 5 at the Omni Hotel in Fort Worth. They also have an online petition supporting their cause.