Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said Monday that his office will file a federal lawsuit to block the start of San Antonio's gay-inclusive non-discrimination law.

Council members approved the ordinance last week after a protracted and bitter public debate.

(Related: San Antonio approves gay-inclusive non-discrimination ordinance.)

Abbott, a Republican who announced last month he's running for governor, told 1200 WOAI News that the law violates the Texas Constitution.

“Section 32 of Article One of the Texas Constitution concerns same sex marriage,” Abbott told the radio station. “If someone says we are going to stand on the law, they would be guilty of violating that San Antonio ordinance.”

“There is a provision in here, that seems to silence anyone who may have a disagreement with that ordinance,” he added. “I believe that violates the First Amendment protections of freedom of speech and freedom of religion, and violates the Texas Constitution.”