Gay Couples Married In Mass. Challenge Texas Ban

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Supreme Court says it will consider whether the state has jurisdiction over same-sex divorces and the constitutionality of Texas laws banning same-sex marriage.

The court will hold oral arguments Nov. 5 for two cases presented by Dallas and Austin same sex-couples who married legally in Massachusetts. Texas voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional ban on gay marriage in 2005.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said in a brief the state would benefit from the court's ruling on the issue and declaring that the ban on same-sex marriage does not violate the U.S Constitution. One of the couples wants the court to determine whether Texas family law is constitutional.

The U.S. Supreme Court in June struck down parts of the Defense of Marriage Act because it treated same-sex couples unequally.

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