Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton stopped the issuing of gay marriage in Texas after he made a legal challenge. The Supreme Court of Texas blocked gay marriages across the state on Thursday as a result of the challenge.
Paxton stated that activists should not decide the law in Texas. Texan voters decided to put the gay marriage ban into effect after a vote, which Paxton says should not be overturned by a group of activists.
“The Texas Constitution clearly defines marriage as between one man and one woman, as Texas voters approved by an overwhelming majority,” he said on Wednesday.
“The law of Texas has not changed, and will not change due to the whims of any individual judge or county clerk operating on their own capacity anywhere in Texas. Activist judges don't change Texas law and we will continue to aggressively defend the laws of our state and will ensure that any licenses issued contrary to law are invalid.”
Hours before the Texas Supreme Court’s emergency order to block same-sex marriages, a Sarah Goodfriend and Susanne Bryant performed the first gay marriage in the state. The high court did not state whether the marriage license was valid, but Attorney General Paxton argues that the order applies to their marriage license as well.
“The court’s action upholds our state constitution and stays these rulings by activist judges in Travis County. The same-sex marriage license issued by the Travis County Clerk is void, just as any license issued in violation of state law would be. I will continue to defend the will of the people of Texas, who have defined marriage as between one man and one woman, against any judicial activism or overreach,” said Paxton regarding the marriage license.
Back in 2005, Texans voted 76.25% in favor of Proposition 2, which defined marriage as only between one man and one woman.
