Texas AG says same-sex marriage is void after Travis Co. issues first license

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Supreme Court granted the requests of Paxton to stay two court rulings that declared Texas marriage law unconstitutional. Thursday's ruling originally didn't invalidate the marriage.

When Paxton said he was seeking to void the marriage license through other means, though he didn't provide details.

For the couple, it was a dream that became a reality after almost 31 years together.

Suzanne Bryant and Sarah Goodfriend were joined by their two daughters as they exchanged vows outside the Travis County Clerk's Office.

"To be able to be married to the love of my life. This is just the happiest day of my life," said Goodfriend, 58, who is fighting ovarian cancer.

The order came in at 8:51 a.m. and by 9 a.m., Debeauvoir says the paper work was started to issue the license.

"I think a lot of us in the community over the years have come to the conclusion this is a civil rights issue. Even though I was following a court order I was happily doing it," said Debeauvoir.

Once the information was processed the couple walked outside to exchange vows surrounded by close friends.

"We can't control what the attorney general's office wants to do if they want to come in and try to undo this they well we have a valid marriage license and I don't think they can," said Bryant.

"Just a piece of paper but it means so much," said Goodfriend who alongside her partner held on to the license.

The future may be left up to the courts as far as the license is concerned but the commitment it represents will stand the test of time.

The following statement was released by The Texas Supreme Court following the States' first same-sex marriage license was issued in Travis County:

The Texas Supreme Court has granted a stay of two trial-court rulings that Texas' amendment banning same-sex marriages violates federal constitutional protections to equal protection and due process of law. Motions to stay orders by two Travis County judges, one in a probate case and the other a temporary-restraining order granting a same-sex couple's request for a marriage license, were sought by the Texas Attorney General's Office.

In the probate case the attorney general also sought an order reversing the probate judge's decision in a case to determine a will contest. That petition for a mandamus writ remains pending.

Meanwhile Texas Governor Greg Abbot released the following statement: