{"id":2619861,"date":"2026-06-27T08:46:41","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T12:46:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-judge-wins-massive-payout-after-refusing-to-officiate-same-sex-weddings\/"},"modified":"2026-06-27T08:47:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T12:47:57","slug":"texas-judge-wins-massive-payout-after-refusing-to-officiate-same-sex-weddings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-judge-wins-massive-payout-after-refusing-to-officiate-same-sex-weddings\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas Judge Wins Massive Payout After Refusing to Officiate Same-Sex Weddings"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftexas-judge-wins-massive-payout-after-refusing-to-officiate-same-sex-weddings%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2619861&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A texas judge named dianne Hensley from Waco refused to perform same-sex weddings due to her religious beliefs. She was disciplined by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct and received a warning, despite her efforts to find other officiants willing to conduct such ceremonies. Hensley sued, claiming her religious liberty was violated under the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Ultimately, she won a lawsuit and was awarded $640,000 in damages and attorneys&#8217; fees after being disciplined for declining to officiate same-sex marriages. The Texas Supreme Court later ruled that judges cannot be disciplined for refusing to perform same-sex weddings on religious grounds. Hensley filed additional lawsuits, arguing that her speech rights were infringed and contesting the constitutionality of Obergefell v.Hodges. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-loses-bid-to-block-garland-from-releasing-special-counsel-report-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Trump loses bid to block Garland from releasing special counsel report - Washington Examiner\">case highlights ongoing legal battles<\/a> over religious liberty, freedom of speech, and the rights of judges regarding same-sex marriage officiations.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><br \/>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<section> \t\t\t\t<script>console.log(\"ad slot (AC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>A judge in Waco, Texas, who refused to take part in so-called same-sex weddings received $10,000 in damages and $630,000 in attorneys fees after facing discipline.<\/p>\n<p>Judge Dianne Hensley, who is a Christian, faced sanctions from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct after recusing herself from performing same-sex weddings, per a <a href=\"https:\/\/firstliberty.org\/media\/court-enters-final-judgment-in-favor-of-waco-judge-who-refused-to-perform-same-sex-weddings-awarding-10000-in-damages-and-630000-in-attorneys-fees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">release<\/a> from First Liberty Institute, which represented her.<\/p>\n<p>She had even decided to make a list of other officiants who were willing to perform so-called same-sex weddings at her price.<\/p>\n<p>But the State Commission on Judicial Conduct still issued her a \u201cPublic Warning,\u201d claiming she had violated the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">After nearly seven years, McLennan County Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley has prevailed in her lawsuit against the State Commission on Judicial Conduct after she declined to perform same-sex ceremonies as part of her duties. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/TlCiGsVdid\">https:\/\/t.co\/TlCiGsVdid<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 The Texan (@TheTexanNews) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TheTexanNews\/status\/2069441210939240544?\">June 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Hensley then filed a lawsuit against the entity, contending that her religious liberty under the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act had been violated.<\/p>\n<p>The State Commission on Judicial Conduct argued last year that she could not \u201cwelcome to her chambers heterosexual couples for whom she willingly offers to conduct marriage ceremonies,\u201d while also opting out of \u201cofficiating due to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/judge-blocks-vaccine-mandate-for-health-workers-in-new-york\/\" title=\"... Blocks Vaccine Mandate For Health Workers In New York\u00a0\">sincere religious belief<\/a>,\u201d per a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.christianpost.com\/news\/judge-awarded-640k-after-refusing-to-officiate-same-sex-weddings.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">report<\/a> from The Christian Post.<\/p>\n<p>The Texas Supreme Court ruled on Jan. 9 in a different case that the State Commission on Judicial Conduct \u201chas no authority under state law to discipline judges who refuse to perform same-sex weddings for moral or religious reasons,\u201d according to First Liberty Institute.<\/p>\n<p>The district court weighing Hensley\u2019s case then ruled in her favor.<\/p>\n<p>Hiram Sasser, executive general counsel for First Liberty Institute, said in a statement that \u201cJudge Hensley always adhered to the law and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/christian-judge-who-refused-to-perform-gay-weddings-vindicated-in-big-court-ruling\/\" title=\"Christian ... Who Refused to ... Gay Weddings &#039;Vindicated&#039; in Big Court Ruling\">legal guidance provided<\/a> by the Attorney General of Texas.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are grateful that this case has concluded and that Judge Hensley was vindicated.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Texas Judge Dianne Hensley won $640K after being disciplined for declining to officiate same-sex weddings because of her religious beliefs. <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/ReligiousLiberty?src=hash&#038;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ReligiousLiberty<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/Texas?src=hash&#038;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Texas<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/FirstLiberty?src=hash&#038;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#FirstLiberty<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/DianneHensley?src=hash&#038;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#DianneHensley<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/ChristianPost?src=hash&#038;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ChristianPost<\/a><br \/>  \ud83d\udd17 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/XZhWohROhn\">https:\/\/t.co\/XZhWohROhn<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/wnKsCbxBvt\">https:\/\/t.co\/wnKsCbxBvt<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/zXRN1naEnQ\">pic.twitter.com\/zXRN1naEnQ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 The Christian Post (@ChristianPost) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ChristianPost\/status\/2069216695844319351?\">June 23, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>First Liberty Institute noted that \u201calthough the Hensley litigation has concluded, the Commission is still facing a statewide class-action lawsuit on behalf of justices of the peace who were unwilling to perform same-sex marriages and stopped performing weddings entirely to avoid disciplinary action from the Commission.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe class action is seeking damages in the tens of millions of dollars for income lost by justices of the peace throughout the state,\u201d the release added.<\/p>\n<p>Hensley has also filed a separate lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas contending that the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges was unconstitutional, according to The Christian Post.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOfficiating a wedding ceremony is speech, and the commissioners are preventing Judge Hensley from engaging in this speech unless she agrees to perform homosexual marriages in violation of her Christian faith and in violation of Texas law,\u201d the complaint said.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f7f7f7; color: #171717; display: flex;font-size: 16px;font-weight: 600;line-height: 1.5;margin: 24px 0;padding: 18px 20px 18px 30px;text-align: left;\">\n<div style=\"align-self: stretch;border-left: 3px solid #171717;flex-shrink: 0;padding-left: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<p><a style=\"text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/\">Choose The Western Journal as your preferred source on Google and never miss reporting that defends truth, protects freedom, and advances Western civilization<\/a><\/div>\n<p style=\"border: 1px solid #f5f5f5; padding: 16px;\">Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/advertise-us\/?wj_source=article\">Advertise Today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\"> \t\t\t \t<\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* Name<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> \t\t\t\t\t\t<label>* <\/label> \t\t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<label>* Message<\/label> \t\t\t\t\t<br \/> \t\t\t\t\t<textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> \t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\"> \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> \t\t<script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey == typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts = { \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs = [ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i = 0; i < inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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