Texas Judge Says State’s Gay-Marriage Ban Is Unconstitutional

A Texas judge ruled Tuesday that the state’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, in just the latest of numerous rulings striking down bans across the country.

Travis County Probate Judge Guy Herman made the ruling as part of an estate dispute, in which a woman sought to have her eight-year relationship with her late partner accepted as common-law marriage, the Austin Statesman reports.

But the ruling doesn’t necessarily mean the county will begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir said she couldn’t begin issuing the licenses right away. “I am scrambling, trying to find out if there is anything I can do,” she said. “Right now, I think it’s no, but we are checking.”

The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on same-sex marriage nationally later this year.