Texas Supreme Court Upholds Divorce of Same-Sex Couple

The Texas Supreme Court has upheld the Austin divorce of a same-sex couple, rejecting challenges in a state where gay marriage remains outlawed.

The court ruled Friday that the state lacks standing to intervene in the divorce of Angelique Taylor and Sabina Daly, who were married in Massachusetts in 2004. The decision has no impact on Texas' gay marriage ban, but comes ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court potentially legalizing same-sex marriage later this month.

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott challenged the divorce while he was still attorney general. He argued that a divorce couldn't be granted in a state where the marriage isn't recognized as valid.

"The Supreme Court did not address the Texas Constitution’s definition of marriage," Abbott said in a statement. "And marriage in Texas remains an institution between one man and one woman."

The all-Republican court didn't address that issue, but instead ruled that the state simply waited too long to intervene in the divorce.

"The Texas Supreme Court’s decision is disappointing and legally incorrect," Abbott stated. "The Court mistakenly relied on a technicality to allow this divorce to proceed."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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