Maverick County Clerk’s Office issues first same-sex marriage license
By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2015, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.
As a result of the Unites States Supreme Court’s historic civil rights case of Obergefell v. Hodges ruling that same-sex marriages are legal, Maverick County Clerk Sara Montemayor issued the first same-sex marriage license in Maverick County, Texas to Sonia Flores and Maria Saucedo on Tuesday, June 30, 2015 at the Maverick County Courthouse in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Montemayor stated that the Maverick County Clerk’s Office is now officially issuing same-sex marriage licenses to persons who apply for the license despite Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s advice to County Clerks not to issue them based on religious beliefs constitutional grounds.
The Maverick County Clerk’s Office is located at 500 Quarry Street in Eagle Pass and is open from Monday through Friday from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. and its telephone number is (830) 773-2829.
Montemayor issued the first official same-sex marriage license in Maverick County to Sonia Flores and Maria Saucedo of Eagle Pass.
Maria Saucedo stated that she is very elated because the U.S. Supreme Court case finally gives same-sex couples equality under the law and the constitutionally protected right to get married throughout the United States, including Texas. “We are very happy because that is what America is all about–justice and equality for all,” said Saucedo.
Flores stated that she and her partner had thought about marriage for a while.
“Being together for over six years, we have had the opportunity to commit to marriage in other states where it has been legal. But we decided no we don’t want to get married and then come home to Texas where it’s not recognized or legal or where we don’t have any of the laws that protect us . So we decided when it happens in Texas, we’re going to do it,” said Flores.
Flores noted that she and her partner had been following all of the legal proceedings challenging Texas’ law forbidding same-sex couples until the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision on Friday, June 26, 2015. Flores stated that they decided to apply for a marriage license with the Maverick County Clerk’s Office following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision.
“We are very surprised that Eagle Pass is receptive of this. We are extremely surprised. We thought we were going to have a fight on our hands and are extremely grateful to Mrs. Montemayor for deciding not to listen to the Governor of Texas and the Attorney General and say as the County Clerk she is going to go ahead and provide the rights for all of us because we are all deserving of the same basic human rights,” said Flores.
Flores and Saucedo encouraged same-sex couples in Maverick County and throughout Texas to take advantage of their new constitutional rights and not be afraid to get married. “Don’t be afraid anymore. Love is love and your love is just as important as anybody else’s love. Don’t be afraid, do what you have to do and respect each other,” said Flores.
The Eagle Pass Business Journal congratulates Sonia Flores and Maria Saucedo on becoming pioneers in Maverick County and being the first same-sex couple to receive a marriage license in Maverick County.
