New Mexico!

[Queersetti]

New Mexico county begins issuing marriage licenses to gay couples



SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN, Associated Press Writer

Friday, February 20, 2004

(02-20) 11:01 PST BERNALILLO, N.M. (AP) --

A lesbian couple was issued a marriage license and exchanged vows outside the courthouse Friday as other same-sex couples lined up for their chance to tie the knot.

At least a half-dozen gay and lesbian couples waited outside the Sandoval County courthouse after county clerk Victoria Dunlap began issuing marriage licenses for same-sex couples.

The move came just over a week after San Francisco began issuing marriage licenses to thousands of gay couples in a direct challenge to California law.

Dunlap said she made the decision after county attorney David Mathews said New Mexico law is unclear.

"This has nothing to do with politics or morals," she said. "If there are no legal grounds that say this should be prohibited, I can't withhold it. This office won't say no until shown it's not permissible."

 

[Pookie]

It's encouraging to see people take a stand for equal protection.

So much is happening so fast lately. I love it.

 

[Bitchslapper]

OREGON!

Oh wait, w're not playing the link game, are we? oops...

 

[JeanetteLv2]

I live in the next county. Sandoval is pretty much rural. So surprised it happened there and not in this one. Dang... missed the local news last night.

I think the week delay in going ahead with this may be due to the fact that the state legislative session wrapped up Thursday. Of course there was already talk about the Governor forcing them into a special session since they weren't getting the stuff he wanted done. So they rushed out a bunch of half-ass bills to appease him I think. So there may be no special session which might mean they won't be back into session for quite some time and thus the republicans can't legislate anything on the issue.

Was only last year that we finally got state level anti-discrimination laws for gays and transgender people in New Mexico, which Governor Richardson was a large part of pushing through. So outta be interesting to see how this plays out. (Of course just waiting for republicans to seek an injunction or file a lawsuit too then).

 

[deliciously_naughty]

Damn...we were supposed to be first in MA (just kidding...I'm super excited to see all of this hapenning now...it's so encouraging)

 

[JeanetteLv2]

The New Mexico one turned out to be a limited time offer it appears. NM State Attorney General Patricia Madrid advised the Sandoval County clerks office on Friday to stop issuing them and they immediately did. Word is only about 30 or so were issued, according to today's newspaper.

See... knew it was too good to last. *sigh*

 

[deliciously_naughty]

The New Mexico one turned out to be a limited time offer it appears. NM State Attorney General Patricia Madrid advised the Sandoval County clerks office on Friday to stop issuing them and they immediately did. Word is only about 30 or so were issued, according to today's newspaper.

See... knew it was too good to last. *sigh*

don't worry, it will come back

God but I love Civil Disobedience

 

[College_geek]

Damn...we were supposed to be first in MA (just kidding...I'm super excited to see all of this hapenning now...it's so encouraging)

I have mixed feelings about what's happening in MA. First I thought, man are we taking so long. San Francisco and that county in NM are already issuing marriage licenses because they feel it's right. But after the last few posts that talk about how these two places are now being yelled at for doing so, it kind of makes me glad that we're taking slow steps in MA. I just hope it pays off in the end and the elusive prize is one.

 

[Pookie]

don't worry, it will come back

God but I love Civil Disobedience

I'm rarely the patient one myself. A little "disobedience" can sure get me excited.

 

[College_geek]

don't worry, it will come back

God but I love Civil Disobedience

Hmm...with all these places starting to give out marriage licenses, you'd think the governments would get a clue as to what is desired and what is right for the progression of the country.