Officials in the Harris County Clerkâs office told Houston Press today (Monday, June 8) that they will not be ready to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples when the Supreme Court issues its marriage equality ruling this month.
Somehow, the office will be able to issue licenses to a straight couple who gets in line to get a license, but wonât be able to figure out how to give that exact same piece of paper to a gay or lesbian couple in line right behind them.
Houston Press said the clerkâs office in Houston isnât doing anything to prepare, either, even though they know now they wonât be ready.
Maybe itâs not that Harris County Clerk Stan Stanart canât get ready to do something the Supreme Court may order. Maybe he just doesnât want to.
âIâm going to have to follow whatever the state attorney generalâs guidance is,â Stanart told Houston Press. âTheyâre destroying an institution, the institution of marriage, but Iâll follow what the current law of the land is.â
Stanartâs big problem is that the form has a space for male and a space for female. Adding or removing a âfeâ is, apparently, a months-long process.

