ACLU Affirms Santa Fe Mayor’s Statement: Current New Mexico Laws Don't Prohibit Same-Sex Couples from Marrying

SANTA FE, NM—Today, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico applauded Santa Fe Mayor David Coss for standing up in favor of the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. The ACLU of New Mexico concurs with Mayor Coss and the Santa Fe City Attorney’s opinion that New Mexico’s state marriage statute is gender neutral and should therefor permit same-sex couples to marry.
The following quote can be attributed to ACLU of New Mexico Executive Director Peter Simonson:

"Committed, loving same-sex couples deserve the same dignity and respect as opposite-sex couples, and this truth is already reflected in our current state laws. We believe that the current New Mexico State Constitution and the state marriage statute provides same-sex couples the same marriage rights as opposite-sex couples. However, the right of all New Mexicans to marry should be clear and explicit. The courts will need to provide some definitive guidance on this matter.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 19, 2013
CONTACT: Micah McCoy, (505) 266-5915 x1003 or [email protected]