WACO, Texas (AP) – The Texas Commission on Judicial Conduct issued a public warning to a judge who refuses to perform same-sex marriages.
The Waco Tribune-Herald reports that McLennan County Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley said her “Bible-believing” Christian conscience prohibits her from doing same-sex weddings.
She said she believes she’s entitled to a “religious exemption.” Hensley has continued to perform opposite-sex weddings.
In its order, the commission said Hensley is violating the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct by “casting doubt on her capacity to act impartially to persons appearing before her as a judge due to the person’s sexual orientation.”
Hensley has 30 days to appeal the sanction. She and her attorney have both declined to comment on the commission’s warning.
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