Texas Judge Secures $640K Victory for Declining Same-Sex Weddings on Religious Grounds
A Texas judge who declined to officiate same-sex weddings due to her Christian beliefs has achieved a major legal victory after years of litigation.Judge Dianne Hensley has received a $10,000 settlement and more than $630,000 in attorneys’ fees after a federal court ruled that
Texas judicial authorities could not discipline her for choosing not to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies based on her sincerely held religious convictions.The dispute started in 2019 when the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct issued Hensley a public warning. In response, Hensley filed a lawsuit, arguing that the disciplinary action violated her constitutional rights and religious freedom.
Throughout the controversy, supporters noted that Hensley did not deny couples access to marriage. She kept a referral list of other judges willing to perform same-sex ceremonies and reportedly received no public complaints from couples seeking to be married.
Her case gained further support after the Texas Supreme Court ruled that judges may decline to perform wedding ceremonies based on sincerely held religious beliefs and cannot be punished simply for exercising those convictions.The recent settlement brings the legal battle to an end and prevents any further disciplinary action against Hensley regarding this matter.
