First Openly Gay Texas Legislature Member Files Complaint Against Ken Paxton

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued an opinion on June 28 stating that county clerks and employees could refuse to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

The opinion has Glen Maxey, former Texas Representative and the first openly gay member of the Texas Legislature, up in arms. 

Maxey has filed a complaint with the State Bar of Texas Disciplinary System against Paxton, stating: "It's irresponsible for an elected official - and a lawyer- to tell other elected officials to break the law. He's misleading county and state officials based on a false premise that they can discriminate against same-sex couples."

"County clerks and their employees retain freedoms that may allow accommodation of their religious objections to issuing same-sex marriage licenses," wrote Paxton. "The strength of any such claims depends on the particular facts of each case."

According to the Dallas Morning News, more than 150 Texas attorneys have signed a missive threatening to send a formal complaint to the State Bar of Texas.

Rockport attorney Steve Fischer, a former director of the State Bar of Texas, and Brian Bouffard, a Criminal Defense Attorney, told the outlet via email that they want to give Paxton a chance to reconsider because "a bar license is a serious matter."

Fischer told The Texas Tribune that Paxton "could very easily be disbarred" if he doesn't change his direction.