The Brief

The Texas Supreme Court ruled judges can refuse to perform marriages based on "sincerely held religious beliefs."

The change follows years of debate sparked by a judge disciplined for declining same-sex weddings.

The decision adds to growing statewide tensions over LGBT+ rights and recent laws affecting gender identity.

AUSTIN - Judges in Texas are now able to refuse to perform marriages for religious reasons, the state's highest court decided Friday .

While the Texas Supreme Court's addition to the judicial conduct code does not include reasoning for the change, it follows a years-long debate over whether judges within the state are obligated to perform same-sex ceremonies.

Texas Supreme Court ruling

What we know:

The ruling, amending Canon 4 of the Texas Code of

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