Judge Dianne Hensley

A judge in Travis County, Texas, district court, after triggering a change in the practice of the judiciary in the state, now has been awarded $640,000 for damages and attorney fees for an episode when the Texas State Commission punished her for her Christian beliefs.

Sparking the case was the decision by Judge Dianne Hensley to decline to perform same-sex marriages when they were created by the single vote of a liberal justice in the U.S. Supreme Court. Instead, she referred duos to another official within walking distance who would provide that service.

That got her threatened by the Texas State Commission.

WorldNetDaily reported last year when the state Supreme Court concluded that a justice who publicly refrained from performing a wedding ceremony based on sincerely held religious beliefs was not breaking any court system rules.

And then that was added to the state’s Judicial Conduct Code.

The state Commission on Judicial Conduct had claimed she was violating rules by showing a “bias” against some Texans through her adherence to her Christian faith. She then sued.

After nearly seven years, McLennan County Justice of the Peace Dianne Hensley has prevailed in her lawsuit against the State Commission on Judicial Conduct after she declined to perform same-sex ceremonies as part of her duties. https://t.co/TlCiGsVdid

— The Texan (@TheTexanNews) June 23, 2026

Texas judge who refused to marry gay couple wins lawsuit against state agency.
The State Commission on Judicial Conduct will have to pay Waco judge Dianne Hensley $640,000 as part of the suit.

#Statesupremecourt #Discriminationhttps://t.co/bP5mjwiqU5 pic.twitter.com/AoKL3I2GYU

— Alexie C Rivera (@RedPillLaredo) June 24, 2026

Now she’s won. A report at CBN News said the District Court of Travis County awarded the maximum $10,000 in compensatory damages and $630,000 for attorney fees to Hensley.

And the ruling permanently blocks state officials from “investigating, sanctioning, or disciplining Judge Hensley over her refusal to officiate at same sex weddings on account of her religious beliefs.”

The fight developed shortly after the 2015 Obergefell decision from the Supreme Court through which the liberal justices on the court then simply fabricated same-sex marriage for the nation even though the Constitution makes no mention of “marriage,” and specifies that those powers not listed there are left to the states.

Hensley explained earlier, “We put together a referral list so that when somebody asked for [a same-sex wedding], my staff told them that because of my faith, I could not do it, but we have a referral list we can give them.”

Many defended Judge Hensley’s judicial integrity, including the executive general counsel for First Liberty Institute, Hiram Sasser.

“Judge Hensley always adhered to the law and the legal guidance provided by the Attorney General of Texas,” said Sasser. “We are grateful that this case has concluded and that Judge Hensley was vindicated.”

State Supreme Court makes crucial ruling to protect religious freedom

Bob Unruh

Bob Unruh joined WND in 2006 after nearly three decades with the Associated Press, as well as several Upper Midwest newspapers, where he covered everything from legislative battles and sports to tornadoes and homicidal survivalists. He is currently a news editor for the WND News Center, and also a photographer whose scenic work has been used commercially. Read more of Bob Unruh's articles here.