Two Same-Sex Couples Sue To Lift Texas’ Gay Marriage Ban

Gay rights advocate Vin Testa waves a rainbow flag in front of the Supreme Court at sun up in Washington, Wednesday, June 26, 2013. Justices are expected to hand down major rulings on two gay marriage cases that coul... Gay rights advocate Vin Testa waves a rainbow flag in front of the Supreme Court at sun up in Washington, Wednesday, June 26, 2013. Justices are expected to hand down major rulings on two gay marriage cases that could impact same-sex couples across the country. One is a challenge to California's voter-enacted ban on same-sex marriage. The other is a challenge to a provision of federal law that prevents legally married gay couples from receiving a range of tax, health and pension benefits. MORE LESS
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Two gay couples filed a lawsuit Monday that combats Texas’ same-sex marriage ban and seeks a court order to bar officials from enforcing it, the San Antonio Express-News reported.

The suit, filed in San Antonio, argued there is “no rational basis, much less a compelling government purpose, for Texas to deny plaintiffs the same right to marry enjoyed by the majority of society,” according to the newspaper. It named couples Mark Pharris and Vic Holmes and Cleopatra De Leon and Nicole Dimetman as plaintiffs.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) said earlier this year that it’s “fairly clear” where his state stands on same-sex marriage, arguing the majority of Texans believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman. 

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