County to issue same-sex marriage licenses (NEW MEXICO TODAY 2/20/04)

AP via News Channel 15 wane.com ^ | 2/20/2004

[cyncooper]

Bernalillo, New Mexico-AP -- A county clerk in New Mexico says it has nothing to do with "politics or morals."

Sandoval County Clerk Victoria Dunlap says the county plans to issue marriage licenses for same-sex couples.

She made the decision after asking for an opinion from the county attorney, who said New Mexico law isn't clear on the issue. He also says refusing to issue marriage licenses to gay couples could open the county to legal action.

State law defines marriage as a civil contract between contracting parties. It doesn't mention gender.

The issue of gay marriage has stirred controversy in other states. San Francisco granted hundreds of same-sex marriage licenses in defiance of California state law.

And lawmakers in Massachusetts expect to resume a debate on a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage.

[cyncooper]

I heard this news on ABC radio news a short while ago.

They actually played a clip of this woman who decided to issue the licenses. Her rationale is that she doesn't deny gay people the right to register to vote so why should she deny them a marriage license.

This is the type of thinking we are facing.

[cyncooper]

Ping

[AntiGuv]

Sandoval County borders Santa Fe County on the west:

[mewzilla]

LOL. And I saw a thread a few minutes ago discussing Tubby Richardson's thinking about a presidential run in '08. And I've heard the Toons are trying to get him on Kerry's short-list for veep. Couldn't happen to a more well-deserving governor.

[Constitution Day]

Having a gay old time down there, huh?

[ElkGroveDan]

I guess those cowboys are gettin' a little lonely out on the range.

[ican'tbelieveit]

Just so you know, Bernalillo is Albuquerque... not what you would call either cowboys or range.

[ican'tbelieveit]

And Sandoval's primary population is Rio Rancho.

[martin_fierro]

WTF is it with New Mexico?

[ElkGroveDan]

Well maybe they're coming in OFF the range for a bath, a meal, and marriage having become good friends the night before.

[KQQL]

WELCOME TO GAY AMERICA 2004....

[tomahawk]

This nation is descending into anarchy.

We are going down, and there may be no recovery.

Only nations in decline abandon 5,000 years of legal understanding on a whim.

[ican'tbelieveit]

They don't have to come off of the range... if you get into the North Valley of ABQ and Corrales, it is filled with them already. Not even touching what exists in Santa Fe.

[ican'tbelieveit]

For the most part, it is just that Santa Fe-Albuquerque corridor. Once you get out of that area, people are pretty normal. Unfortunately, they are outnumbered 3-1.

[ican'tbelieveit]

Oh, yeah... Taos-Santa Fe-Albuquerque.

[Doctor Stochastic]

Isn't New Mexico a community property state? The ensuing divorces should be interesting as should things when the temporary federal marriage penalty tax ban expires.

[wilmington2]

If government no longer enforces the law, why pay taxes as the services are being withheld.

[dljordan]

"This nation is descending into anarchy". This isn't anarchy my friend, this a carefully thought out push to normalize homosexuality throughout America. Even the school children are being indoctrinated.

[ElkGroveDan]

I better drop this discussion. I lived in Montana for four years and worked on a dude ranch one summer. So I'm treading on thin ground here.

[KQQL]

Evangelicals frustrated by Bush

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20040219-115609-3712r.htm