Waco Judge Who Won’t Marry Gay Couples Awarded $640,000 in Lawsuit Against Texas Judicial Agency
The ruling bars state discipline and awards Hensley the maximum compensatory damages allowed under Texas religious freedom law.
- A Travis County district court awarded Waco-based Judge Dianne Hensley $640,000 in a settlement Friday, resolving her dispute with the Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct over her refusal to officiate same-sex weddings based on religious beliefs.
- In 2019, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct issued a public warning accusing Hensley of violating the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct by refusing to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies.
- First Liberty Institute argued Hensley's decision was protected by the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act, a position strengthened after the Texas Supreme Court clarified judges declining ceremonies based on a "sincerely held religious belief" won't violate state rules.
- Last Tuesday, Travis County Judge Maya Guerra Gamble barred the commission from "investigating, sanctioning, or disciplining" Hensley, regardless of whether she continues performing marriages for opposite-sex couples.
- Separately, the commission faces a statewide class-action lawsuit in Tarrant County filed by other justices of the peace who stopped performing all weddings to avoid disciplinary actions.
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12 Articles
Christian judge blessed with ‘maximum’ cash after being punished in same-sex-marriage fight * WorldNetDaily * by Bob Unruh
Source link Judge Dianne Hensley A judge in Travis County, Texas, district court, after triggering a change in the practice of the judiciary in the state, now has been awarded $640,000 for damages and attorney fees for an episode when the Texas State Commission punished her for her Christian beliefs. Sparking the case was the decision
Judge Gets Hefty Payout After Refusing To Oversee Same-Sex Ceremonies
A Christian judge in Texas was recently awarded $640,000 after she was targeted by a state agency for refusing to oversee same-sex ceremonies. Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley filed suit in December 2019 after the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct issued her a public warning for declining to officiate same-sex weddings. Hensley said she was unable to participate in such ceremonies, citing her Christian faith. The judge notably referr…
Texas Judge Wins $640K Legal Victory After Refusing Same-Sex Weddings on Religious Grounds
A Texas judge who declined to officiate same-sex weddings because of her Christian beliefs has prevailed in a lengthy legal battle, securing both monetary damages and protections against future disciplinary action.
Christian judges in Texas are demanding the right not to marry same-sex couples. They’re winning.
The State Commission on Judicial Conduct in Texas was overruled last week after it disciplined a justice of the peace in Waco for refusing to marry same-sex couples on religious grounds. A Texas county judge ruled the commission cannot investigate, sanction, or discipline McLennan County Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley for refusing to officiate same-sex weddings because of her Christian beliefs. Hensley was awarded $10,000 in compensatory da…
Waco judge who won’t marry gay couples awarded $640,000 in lawsuit against Texas judicial agency
A Travis County judge sided with a McLennan County Justice of the Peace who refused to marry gay couples and sued the State Commission on Judicial Conduct for disciplining her for her choice.
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