AUSTIN, Texas — The Travis County Clerk's Office and judges are celebrating marriage equality in a special way this month.
Wednesday, June 26, will mark nine years since the U.S. Supreme Court determined that the Constitution recognizes a national right to same-sex marriage. The clerk's office said that in February 2015, it issued the first marriage to a same-sex couple in Texas.
Now, to celebrate Pride Month and the anniversary of marriage equality, the clerk's office is offering free wedding ceremonies starting on Saturday, June 22, through the end of the month at various locations and times. It follows the success of last year’s inaugural one-day event.
The ceremonies will be conducted by judges Hon. Selena Alvarenga, Hon. Andy Brown, Hon. Nicholas Chu, Hon. Laurie Eiserloh, Hon. Bianca Garcia and Hon. Denise Hernandez.
The clerk's office said Judge Brown will also host the fourth annual Pride flag-raising on Tuesday, June 25. The Travis County Commissioners Court will read a proclamation honoring Pride Month. Following the flag-raising at the Travis County Administration Building at 700 Lavaca St., there will be a vendor market featuring LGBTQIA+ vendors.
Judge Brown will also conduct a free wedding ceremony at the Tuesday, June 25, flag-raising event. This appointment can be scheduled through the county clerk’s website.
Couples that want to get married during the office's Marriage Equality Anniversary Celebrations need to schedule an appointment.
First, the couples need to have an appointment to purchase their marriage license, which has to be obtained to meet the 72-hour waiting period deadline. Once the couples have scheduled an appointment to purchase their marriage licenses, or if a marriage license has already been obtained, they can schedule an appointment for a Pride ceremony.
"Amid ongoing extreme attacks on the LGBTQ+ community from the Texas State Legislature, our office remains committed to supporting and celebrating the rights of all Texans, including the right to marry who they love, regardless of sexual orientation or gender expression," said Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado.