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Waco judge Dianne Hensley speaks out after winning religious freedom lawsuit over same-sex marriages
By Dominique Leh at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 2, 2026
· 4 min read
Waco Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley is speaking publicly for the first time since a legal battle over her refusal to officiate same-sex marriages began seven years ago a fight that ended with a Supreme Court issuing a final judgement in her favor. Waco Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley st...
Key takeaway Waco Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley stopped officiating all weddings in 2015 after the Supreme Court's Obergefell v.
Why this matters in The Waco
The outcome of Judge Hensley's lawsuit has significant implications for the balance between religious freedom and public service in McLennan County. As a Justice of the Peace, Hensley's decision to stop officiating all weddings in 2015 was a response to the conflict between her Christian faith and the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling. The fact that 80% of judges in the state reportedly stopped performing weddings after the ruling suggests that Hensley's concerns were not isolated. The $640,000 settlement in her favor may be seen as a victory for religious freedom, but it also raises questions about the use of taxpayer dollars to resolve such disputes. As the community moves forward, it will be important to consider how to accommodate the religious beliefs of public officials while ensuring that all citizens, including same-sex couples, have equal access to services and benefits.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Waco Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley is speaking publicly for the first time since a legal battle over her refusal to officiate same-sex marriages began seven years ago a fight that ended with a Supreme Court issuing a final judgement in her favor. Waco Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley st...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dominique Leh at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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