Texas Judge Recognizes Same Sex Marriage

AUSTIN, TX-----A Travis County Probate Judge has become the first to officially recognize a common-law same-sex marriage in Texas.

Judge Guy Herman signed a judgment acknowledging the long term relationship between Sonemaly Phrasavath and her deceased partner, Stella Powell.

Powell died last year, but the judge determined her 8 year relationship with Phrasavath met all the legal requirements to be wed.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton opposed the finding, saying that at the time of Powell’s death, the U.S. Supreme Court had not yet recognized the right of same sex partners to marry.