But how does Texas get by with it in view of the full faith and credit clause? Is it simply DOMA that protects them?
We get by with it because it’s legal under the Constitution. If we are ever sued, the SCOTUS will have to decide if states can refuse to recognize same-sex marriages from other states. Right now, they are leaning toward saying “yes” to that question.
There is no protection for states under DOMA. That law was passed to define how the federal government should interpret the word “marriage” in federal laws.