Same-sex Couple Marries in Texas Under One-time Order

EVA RUTH MORAVEC, Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Despite Texas' statewide ban on gay marriage, county officials in Austin have married a same-sex couple under a one-time court order issued for medical reasons.

Travis County spokeswoman Ginny Ballard said the marriage occurred Thursday, though it wasn't immediately clear if the license has legal standing.

The marriage followed a state district court order instructing that officials not rely on Texas' unconstitutional prohibitions on same-sex marriage.

Texas' statewide ban on gay marriage was declared unconstitutional in federal court last year, but the judge stayed the ruling to allow the state to appeal.

Ballard says the order applies only to the Austin couple, whom she described as "medically fragile." The women were married in a ceremony presided over by a rabbi immediately after a marriage license was issued.

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