WASHINGTON CO. TO ISSUE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE LICENSES

  

Washington County officials say they will abide by the Supreme Court decision and issue licenses for same-sex marriages.

In a statement issued by Washington County Judge John Brieden and County Clerk Beth Rothermel, they said they will, “…follow the law as it has been established by the Supreme Court.”

Washington County joins numerous counties across the state who are issuing the licenses to same-sex couples, despite instructions from the state’s Attorney General that they could refuse to do so on religious grounds.

The Washington County statement goes on to say, “To refuse to follow the law because we do not agree with the law would subject Washington County to certain law suits.”

Brieden says such suits would, “…entail hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorney fees and potentially much more in penalties.”

Brieden says that money would have to come from either: higher taxes, cuts in services or cuts of employees.

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33 Comments

  1. In response to Brian’s numerous negative posts, perhaps he should spend more time examing his motives.

    1. In response! I live for God and Jesus Christ! I’ve read the Bible and I know for certain that America is headed to destruction! Common sense! When a country turns from God just like many nations have in the past God doesn’t bless them! Several examples in the Bible! I am giving a message of warning not hate! God is warning us and He wants us to return as a nation to Him!

  2. God loves everyone and wants nobody to go to Hell! But we as humans have to make a decision of where we go! Heaven is real just like Hell is real! Celebrating gay marriage is wrong and sadly many people disagree! God says repentance for sins needs to happen! I’d rather live in Paradise than a pit of fire and agony! I will follow Jesus to get to Heaven!

  3. It’s time to put down the stones intended for those that affirm same-sex marriage. Unless Washington County is ready to deny marriage licenses to divorced people, Washington County should continue to provide licenses for same gender couples.

  4. I can understand how many people will be upset with their choice, but ultimately the LGBT Community deserves the same rights and respect as every other community. In Brenham/Washington County we have so many people who come from different walks of life and have different beliefs, and I feel the County Clerk’s office is doing an amazing job at upholding the constitutional rights of everyone. Good job, and thank you!

  5. 1. Marriage predates christianity

    2. We can not use christianity to govern our people, no more than jewish or muslim laww

    3. By quoting the old testament you are denying the sacrifice of Jesus Christ

    4. speaking of, i wonder WWJD?

  6. Has gay marriage being legal in any other state or country affect any of the people who disagree with it? Does it change your bank account or health? Does it put your children in danger? Nothing in anybody’s life is going to be affected except for those who can finally marry the person they are in love with. Live and let live. I don’t understand why people are so mad with things that don’t deal with them. A gay marriage doesn’t make a straight marriage any less significant. It shouldn’t change how you feel about your spouse. Why would you want to uphold and exclude other human beings from feeling the same joy you have waking up to your loved one every morning and falling asleep with them every night knowing they are legally married, their possessions are taken care of if anything happens. I just don’t understand the hate. People have been gay since the beginning of time and if it is just now making you upset you need to look inside and deal with your own personal demons.

  7. Brian, where did God define marriage? The bible was written by men. Now, the Ten Commandments are supposedly written by God. It doesn’t talk about a marital definition, but does mention adultery. All the fine brenhamites better start worrying how they are going to explain to God….their adulterous ways and quit worrying about who someone else wants to marry!

  8. I just love how our officials play the “we’re just following the law card” when it’s convenient to them or their agendas. Make no mistake that if our county judge shared the view of the attorney general, then our county would follow the lead of our state. This isn’t the first or probably the last time our officials have shown a lack of judgement. I agree that we should all remember this come election time. Not only by voting these folks out but making it a point to support people with much better moral compasses than those that are in office now.

    This decision will likely be dragged through the courts over and over and over just like the abortion issue. If our local, state and national officials would just take time to consult with the playbook for life (the Bible) none of these issues would be confusing at all. It’s been proven over and over that once we stray from this even just a little, it snowballs into many larger issues and this will be no different. What’s next parents and children marrying, brothers marrying sisters, people marrying animals???? You may laugh at those suggestions but believe me….there’s probably somebody already contemplating these things in their mind and how to get them legal.

    Bottom line….this ruling will drag on for years, the damage in the interim will be catastrophic to our nation, our families, and likely our economy as well. The ol saying give them an inch and they’ll take a mile will be playing out soon, right before our eyes here in Washington County. It’s never too late for our leaders to change course on this but what are the chances…….only if they hear loud and clear that we WANT to follow the lead of the AG. Call both your commissioner and the judge….then if they don’t respond we can find new people come election time.

    1. CH resident: So our government , federal, state and local, should run the country according to the Bible, if I understand your comment. Like some Middle Eastern governments use their religious texts to govern their countries. So which country would you prefer to live in? The one with NO separation between religion and government, or the one where the founding fathers in their wisdom founded our country on Christian principles and SEPARATION of church and state?

  9. People marry because they are in love and want to make a commitment to each other. It is said that marriage is for procreation. Gay couples can procreate the same way infertile heterosexual couples procreate. Thru surrogates or IVF and even adoption. Everyone deserves to marry the love of their lives, soul mate, best friend. Christians are supposed to be accepting and loving towards their fellow human beings so live and let live. Don’t deny others their happiness because you disagree with their life style.

    1. God will judge this country just like He did in other countries! This nation is destroying itself and gay marriage is another domino towards destruction! Why would God continue to bless a nation turning from Him! We need God and He doesn’t need us! Oh I pray for revival but people r heading to Hell at a fast rate!

  10. Why is everyone so upset about this? Is it affecting you? I am not gay but if I was, I would certainly deserve the same love and respect as heterosexuals. And if a gay bar does open in Brenham, DON’T GO THERE.

    1. AMEN!!!! Perfectly said “concerned”!
      I’m not gay either, but I have plenty of family & friends who are and have been around my share of gay men AND women. GUESS WHAT???? They are just LIKE EVERYONE else…they are HUMANS! They aren’t trying to force their lifesyle upon anyone or “make” anyone gay. AND they sure don’t give a second thought to the opinions of ignorant people that dislike them for simply being who they are! Get over yourselves. My grandmother was born in 1925 and even she was tolerant of “the gays”. Calm down….you can’t catch it!
      GAH….rant over!
      Peace be with you 🙂

  11. I will remember this at election time. I guess our officials didn’t hear what the attorney general had to say. He said legal fees would be paid for. I’ll remember this come next election.

    1. Remember and Word: State pays the bill? No, we the taxpayers pay that bill. I have no doubt that they would spend all in the state coffers to do so. Now those are the folks that do not need to be re-elected. Our commissioners obey the law. You can always move to another country where equality in the law does not exist. Have fun.

  12. The Texas state attorney said yesterday they will pay all legal fees of counties that are sued for not performing same sex abomination marriages….

    1. Legal fees, yes. Damages from the lawsuit when the county is found to have violated civil rights? That would be left up to the taxpayers.

  13. I thought these comments were moderated and not supposed to be hateful or political? Do your job! Almost all the comments posted on this article are rude, hateful, and ignorant.

    1. Based what I’m reading they are within boundaries because this is a political story to begin the whole debate. Both sides have been commented upon here too, i.e. “Love’s” comment as well as the dissenters. KWHI is actually quite good at moderating.

      And honestly, there are plenty of people who are confused with this ruling to begin with – it says same sex marriage is legal, but it does not give specifications as to if that means churches must perform the ceremonies or other aspects. There are also a few loopholes I’m seeing based on the ruling that has made this nothing more than a Roe vs. Wade Mark II situation where there will be more argument over aspects. In fact, those two reasons alone are why I think Paxton is saying what he is in regard to his support of those who refuse to provide the licenses.

      The county here is following the law, whether or not they believe in same sex marriage they’re issuing the license. Yes, there will be folks who disagree with this and others who support this, but nonetheless that is the decision.

      1. The opinion is actually quite clear. Same sex marriage is legal throughout the entirety of the United States (that’s how the 14th Amendment works). The ruling does not require churches to perform ceremonies (that’s how the 1st Amendment works).

        1. There are many people who believe the 14th amendment was distorted in this case, but that is neither here nor there.

          The church’s freedoms however, are going to become an issue. While yes technically they do not have to perform the ceremony, I can see in the future where there is pressure to remove tax-exempt status from churches who will not perform the ceremonies. (Actually – scratch that: this is already happening as far as trying to pressure churches via this way). This would still be within the First Amendment laws, but as many churches cannot survive at times without the status (at least smaller ones) they will be forced to make a choice.

          From what I’ve read of this ruling though we’ve just created another Roe vs. Wade where aspects of the ruling will be challenged. I do see loopholes and issues, and obviously in my opinion others have too if they choose to defend those who refuse to give licenses.

  14. Is that true that there is plans for a predominant gay bar in downtown Brenham. I here that the outdoor venue will be overlooking the old Simon Theater and that this business group will be promoting outdoor gay weddings and celebrations there. Has anyone else heard this?

    1. That’s a rumor started by people in town to start trouble like this. And what if it is true? Do you think that there are no gay people at any bar or restaurant in Washington County? Do you think that there are no gay people sitting in your church looking at you and your spouse wishing they could have the same happiness as you? It’s no longer a gay wedding, it’s just a wedding.

    2. @Welcome, it’s doubtful honestly. The only location that fits the area would be that small kiosk that at one time was a hotdog stand by Glissman’s.

      It’s not a good location for a bar, as the outdoor seating makes it difficult to use year round.

      The only other places that overlook the Simon are either occupied or the Courthouse Annex.

      @Sam, I don’t react on emotion, just facts. If a couple cannot be happy without a ring, then there isn’t happiness in that coupling to begin with. I know of many people who got married years after dating (and a couple of gay couples who were partners that long). They weren’t “wishing they could have the same happiness” as the married couple – they were already happy regardless of the official levels. They were truly in love and couldn’t care less about any of the benefits from government (though I am sure now they’re happy they get that perk as well).

      People are going to still use gay marriage and regular marriage for clarity – even if in their own minds. There is nothing wrong with that – marriage is marriage, but there is a difference as far as the pairings.

  15. I’m sure that the Lord is saying “Oh you may end up in a lawsuit? Well then, let’s hand out a marriage license to anyone that it will make happy!”

  16. Thank you, Washington County Officials, for following the public law. As private citizens, we are free to have our personal religious beliefs. But as a public servant, we must follow the public law. It is the right example to set. No one is above the law, and at least right now, this is the law of the land.

  17. It’s sad to see the White House supporting gay marriage! The colors are being shown on the White House in support of this! I thought Obama said he opposed this before election!

  18. This is sickening! God has defined marriage between man and woman! There will be judgement on America unfortunately! Economy will suffer as America turns further away from God! Rough days are ahead!

    1. God also said that divorce was a sin as well as having a child out of wedlock. So I guess that’s 50% to be stoned. Many other countries have legalized gay marriage and have thriving economies.

  19. Which law are they following? The Supreme Court doesn’t have the authority to write new laws.

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