Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Judge Who Refused To Perform Same-Sex Ceremonies Sues Over Reprimand

As previously reported, in November the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct issued a Public Warning to Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley because of her refusal to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies. Now a lawsuit has been filled challenging the Commission's action.  The complaint (full text) in Hensley v. Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct, (TX Dist. Ct., filed 12/16/2019) contends that the Commission's action violates Judge Hensley's rights under the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The complaint also seeks a class-wide declaratory judgment. Fox 44 News reports on the lawsuit.