The Texas attorney general told local county clerks and other officials that if they refuse to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples or perform weddings because they conflict with their religious beliefs the state will help them fight their case if they face lawsuits.
Republican Texas Atty. Gen. Ken Paxton issued a statement and a nonbinding legal opinion on Sunday saying religious freedoms guaranteed by the 1st Amendment “may allow accommodation of their religious objections to issuing same-sex marriage licenses.”
Clerks who refuse to license same-sex couples “may well face litigation and/or a fine,” Paxton wrote.