Two different groups of protesters flocked to downtown Granbury Thursday after the Hood County Clerk said updated marriage license forms will take up to three weeks to arrive.
Joe Stapleton and Jim Cato of Granbury have been together for 27 years. On Thursday, they went to the Hood County Clerk’s Office to get their marriage license but were quickly escorted out.
“I’m sorry,” Hood County Clerk Katie Lang said to them. “I’m going to have to ask you to leave. All of you please leave now."
Lang denied giving the couple a marriage license, initially saying it's her religious belief not to.
Now the couple plan to file a federal lawsuit on Monday.
“The Constitution of the United States says it’s my right to get married right now as of last Friday,” said Cato.
One group is protesting Lang reversing her earlier decision and agreeing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples Tuesday night.
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“It’s anger now,” said Cato. “I think originally it was mostly sadness and it’s turned to anger. When you can get kicked out of the county clerk’s office where you pay taxes just because you want to ask about a marriage license, that’s wrong.”
Group members said they think religious liberty protects county staff members from issuing licenses if same-sex marriage is against their beliefs.
There were many in support of Lang's opinion.
"What are they going to do to protect people who have true religious beliefs that go against what they’ve been told to do,” said Barbara Thompson.
Another group protested against Lang's announcement that forms wouldn't be available for three weeks. The group said the staff members took an oath and are obligated to issue licenses.
“I don't understand why in 2015 it’s ok to discriminate against anyone,” said Amber Light.
NBC 5's Jeff Smith and Johnny Archer contributed to this report.
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