Judge Warned for Same-Sex Wedding Refusal Asks Court for Clarity

A Texas judge says she’s still unclear whether she can refuse to marry same-sex couples, despite the state’s judicial conduct commission’s recent withdrawal of a public warning against her.

Judge Dianne Hensley through her lawyer urged a Texas appeals court for an answer during oral arguments Wednesday.

“She cannot possibly have the assurance she needs to resume the performance of weddings,” Jonathan Mitchell of Mitchell Law PLLC told the Court of Appeals, Third District.

Hensley, who opted against officiating all weddings following the 2019 warning from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, will continue to miss out on opportunities to ...