Texas state Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, wrote a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch and asked her to monitor implementation of marriage equality in the state.
Ellis cited state Attorney General Ken Paxton’s guidance to county clerks, justices of the peace and judges “advising them that they can refuse to follow the recent Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodge.”
He requested the Department of Justice prevent civil rights violations to “ensure loving, committed couples are able to formally celebrate their union.”
He said religion must not be used as an excuse to discriminate.
