Texas judge appeals obligation to perform gay marriage ceremonies

[brooklynite]

Texas Tribune

Since Waco judge Dianne Hensley received a public warning from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct for refusing to perform same-sex marriages in 2019, she’s waged a public battle against the state agency.

She’s long claimed the governmental body violated state law by punishing her for actions taken in accordance with her religious faith. Now, she has submitted a brief arguing that the recent Supreme Court ruling in favor of a business owner who refused services to same-sex couples will help her case.

After Hensley was warned by the judicial conduct commission, she filed a lawsuit claiming the investigation and warning “substantially burdened the free exercise of her religion, with no compelling justification.” She seeks damages of $10,000. She has been represented by the First Liberty Institute, a high-profile religious liberty legal group based in Plano. The legal group also has strong ties to suspended Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Her lawsuit alleges that the commission violated her rights under the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Her lawsuit was dismissed by a lower appeals tribunal, but last month, the Texas Supreme Court said it will hear arguments on whether to revive the state judge’s lawsuit.

[CurtEastPoint]

1. Well doesn't Her Holiness just reek of smug?

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Duties of a public/government official are distinct from those of a private business.

Fifth Amendment coupled with the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits discrimination against certain groups.

While GLBTQ is not yet recognized in the Constitution as a "suspect class" by the USSC, the argument is whether any part of the federal and/or state government can lawfully discriminate.

This should be a doozy for the USSC.

[Dustlawyer]

6. As a judge she should know this!

[Buns_of_Fire]

3. And once again, good ol' reliable "religion" is trotted out

to excuse one's otherwise hateful actions.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Everyone can refuse to do anything they don't like if this freight train continues

and we'll all be looking at each other with suspicion. The engineer is stoking the boiler room with suspicion and hatred.

[Johonny]

5. A couples religious freedom to get married

Is trumped by another person's religious freedom to force their beliefs on them. It's so obvious GOP freedom is a prison where they're the guards.

[rickford66]

7. So a policeman can decide who he can protect ?

There's no end to this s**t.

[mymomwasright]

10. Or who they will or will not ticket.

Only heathens deserve tickets!

[Igel]

8. Creative 303 won't help her in the least.

Too many differences.

[Chi67]

9. Ugh

This woman needs to be fired. If her religion prevents her from doing her job, out she goes. In here role as a government employee, she is paid by the taxpayers and therefore must serve ALL the taxpayers, not just the ones she likes.

[moonshinegnomie]

11. ill perform any wedding she wont

im about 90 minutes from waco. Im an ordained minister.
I will marry anyone that this judge wont. thats the reason i got ordained years ago.

as for the judge.
Fuck you,you bigoted ignorant twit