A North Texas county clerk says she will not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples because she says it conflicts with her religious beliefs.
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court's ruled that same-sex marriage is legal across the country.
Hood County Clerk Katie Lang's position is backed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who released an opinion that says, in part, "County clerks and their employees retain religious freedoms that may allow accommodation of their religious objections to issuing same-sex marriage licenses."
"It's time for real equality here in Texas," said Jim Obergefell, the plaintiff named in the Supreme Court marriage case.
Obergefell came to Dallas on Monday praising the ruling on the legalization of same-sex marriage in all 50 states, but also rejecting the Texas attorney general's opinion.
"I find that to be terrible leadership," said Obergefell. "Our country is built on laws, and the Supreme Court is the end voice on our laws. And county clerks, magistrates, they are employees of the people. They are government."
Several counties have not yet issued same-sex marriage licenses, including Parker County, as they await a corrected application from the state that denotes gender-neutral applicants.
