One Texas judge will marry gay couples, but only if they acknowledge his “personal convictions about marriage” before the ceremony, television station WFAA reported Monday.
Denton County Judge James DePiazza now requires couples to sign an agreement acknowledging that he would prefer to “not conduct same-sex ceremonies, but will not decline anyone who chooses to schedule with him,” according to the form cited by the station.
Before the landmark Supreme Court decision in June, the form congratulated the bride and groom and detailed the next steps, including fees and marriage license requirements, the ABC affiliate reported.
“It’s my personal belief that individuals who want to conduct a marriage ceremony understand my convictions,” the Republican justice of the peace told WFAA. “If it was me, I would prefer to have someone who was in agreement with me.”
The new form removes mentions of a bride and groom and the congratulations.