A Texas judge may get her day in court after she was sanctioned for refusing to perform same-sex marriages. McLennan County Judge Dianne Hensley recused herself from performing same-sex marriages in accordance with her Christian faith. In an affront to religious liberty, the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct investigated Hensley and issued a “public warning” against the judge. According to the Houston Chronicle , “A public warning is the second-highest of six disciplinary measures used by the commission. The complaint against Hensley was brought by the commission itself, not a member of the public.” First Liberty Institute, a legal organization based in Texas, filed a lawsuit against the commission on Hensley’s behalf. The lawsuit argues Hensley was wrongly punished for the way she accommodated same-sex marriages and that the commission’s sanction of Hensley violates the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The lawsuit reads, “By investigating and punishing Judge Hensley for acting in accordance with the commands of her Christian faith, the Commission and its members have substantially burdened the free exercise of her religion, with no compelling justification.” “For simply trying to reconcile her religious beliefs while meeting the needs of her community — ensuring anyone can get […]
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