Note The library cannot tell you what the law means for your situation.
Note Check out our LGBT Law guide for additional legal resources relevant to the LGBT population.
Same-sex marriage became legal in Texas in 2015 after the U.S. Supreme Court issued their decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. This ruling required all states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
In 2022, the federal Respect for Marriage Act created statutory protections for same-sex marriages. This law requires all states to recognize valid same-sex marriages performed in another state. However, it does not require a state to issue a same-sex marriage license.
The marriage application process is the same for every couple in Texas.
In June 2017, the Texas Supreme Court ruled in Pidgeon v. Turner that while same-sex marriage had been made legal, there is still room for state courts to explore the "reach and ramifications" of the landmark Obergefell ruling.
While this case was dismissed by a Houston court in February 2019, the plaintiffs are currently appealing the trial court's decision. Below are some recent news articles discussing this case and the effects it could have on same-sex marriages in Texas in the future.
Texas residents can access e-books with a free library account.
Note The library cannot tell you what the law means for your situation.