AUSTIN, Texas — As a newlywed lesbian couple in Texas celebrates defying a statewide ban on gay marriage, the state’s Republican attorney general is preparing to tell a court why it should rule their nuptials void.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is expected to elaborate Friday on why he believes a marriage license issued to two Austin women is invalid.

His spokeswoman says Paxton’s office will state its case in a filing with the Texas Supreme Court.

Suzanne Bryant and Sarah Goodfriend married in liberal-leaning Travis County after a judge granted them a court order. The 58-year-old Goodfriend has cancer, and the judge raised her health condition in his ruling.

The Texas Supreme Court blocked further gay marriages after Paxton’s appeal.

Texas is one of 13 states where same-sex marriage remains outlawed.