Current Affairs

Texas Attorney General: It is in my state’s interest to ban same-sex marriage

Jul 29 2014
Written by Joseph McCormick

The Governor in the US state of Texas has argued that the US Constitution allows the state to ban same-sex marriage.

The office of Greg Abbott said the state banned gay and lesbian couples from marrying in the interest of ensuring children are born in “stable, lasting relationships.”

Commenting in a filing today with the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, Abbot’s office said the case was not about whether the state should allow same-sex marriage, but rather “about the question of who decides.”

Judge Orlando Garcia struck down the state’s marriage ban in February, but stayed the ruling, meaning it will not come into effect until Abbott’s appeal is concluded.

Abbott has been accused of deliberately stalling that appeal after asking for a second extension on the legal brief earlier this week.

Abbott’s office claimed that Texas voters approved an amendment to ban same-sex marriage, and should be allowed to decide whether to keep it.