Man Wants Spouse's Death Certificate to Reflect Gay Union

A suburban Houston man is arguing in federal court that the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision recognizing gay marriage means his name should be placed on his spouse's death certificate.

John Stone-Hoskins of Conroe filed court papers Wednesday asking a judge to force Texas officials to place his name on the certificate for his husband, James Stone-Hoskins, who died in January. The two were married last year in New Mexico.

The certificate listed James Stone-Hoskins as single and recognized his husband as a "significant other." In court papers John Stone-Hoskins says he's facing a terminal illness and wants to settle his estate and have state records recognize his marriage.

The Texas Department of State Health Services says it's reviewing the Supreme Court ruling to determine if changes must be made to death certificate documents.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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