(WIAT) — Same-sex marriage is a hot topic here in Alabama, and it’s also making national news in Texas.
Over the weekend, the state’s attorney general told clerks and judges they may object to issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples if it goes against their religious beliefs.
But four days after the Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states, some Texas couples may run into problems.
Whitney Hennen and Sara Bollinger, a same-sex couple, were able to attain a marriage license in Texas.
“It feels validating,” Hennen said.
“This is where our roots are. This is where our family is, this is where we met” said Bollinger
Sunday, State Attorney General Ken Paxton said clerks have religious freedom and may not have to issue marriage licenses because of their religious objections.
Katie Lang, the clerk in Hood County, is following the order. On the county website, she wrote, “”I will not be issuing same sex marriage licenses due to my religious convictions.”
The clerk in Harris County says his employees can refuse, and couples can find another worker to process their license.
“We want to accommodate our employee’s religious beliefs and we are doing that in this office,” the Harris County clerk said.
Hennen calls that discrimination. She says it’s time to move on.
“Let’s all just live our lives and let each other be happy together,” said Hennen.
The Texas attorney general warned clerks that they’ll likely face fines and litigation if they don’t issue licenses to same-sex couples.
But, he said, there were plenty of lawyers ready to defend them.
Copyright 2015 WIAT 42 News
