Texas: Federal judge to hear oral arguments in marriage equaltiy lawsuit today

Big day in Texas for the LGBT community. A federal judge will hear oral arguments regarding the legality of the state's ban on marriage equality.

Via Lone Star Q:

Two same-sex couples are seeking a preliminary injunction in their lawsuit challenging the state’s marriage bans on grounds they violate their right to equal protection under the U.S. Constitution. The Texas Legislature banned same-sex marriage by statute in 1997 and again in 2003, and Texas voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman in 2005.

U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia, a President Bill Clinton appointee, could rule from the bench today on the injunction or issue a decision later. If Garcia grants the injunction, it’s likely his decision will be stayed and immediately appealed to the conservative 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals by Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott. Experts say it’s unlikely there would be any window for same-sex marriages to occur.

The hearing will begin at 9:30AM today in San Antonio.

UPDATE: No decision was announced today.