Question:
How did the ruling in De Leon v. Perry influence the recognition of same-sex marriages performed outside Texas?
Answer:
In De Leon v. Perry, 975 F. Supp. 2d 632 (W.D. Tex. 2014), aff’d, 791 F.3d 619 (5th Cir. 2015), the federal court addressed whether Texas’ refusal to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions violated the U.S. Constitution. The court held that Texas’ ban on recognizing same-sex marriages from other states infringed upon the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. This decision underscored that, while states traditionally regulate marriage, they must do so within constitutional bounds. As a result, Texas was required to recognize same-sex marriages legally performed elsewhere, aligning with the principle that a marriage valid where contracted is valid everywhere, unless it contravenes strong public policy. This ruling paved the way for broader acceptance and legal recognition of same-sex marriages across states, emphasizing the supremacy of constitutional protections over state-imposed restrictions.