Story perspectives

Judge Orders $640K Payment, Halts Discipline Over Same-Sex Wedding Refusal

6/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

Judge Maya Guerra Gamble ordered the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct to pay $640,000 to Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley and to stop disciplinary action for refusing same-sex weddings.
The ruling said the commission violated Hensley’s rights under the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
The Texas Supreme Court had earlier amended the judicial conduct code to permit judges to decline ceremonies that conflict with sincerely held religious beliefs.

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Story summary

Judge Maya Guerra Gamble ordered the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct to pay $640,000 to Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley and to stop disciplinary action for refusing same-sex weddings.
The ruling said the commission violated Hensley’s rights under the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
The Texas Supreme Court had earlier amended the judicial conduct code to permit judges to decline ceremonies that conflict with sincerely held religious beliefs.