Posted on 02/22/2004 10:52:51 AM PST by chance33_98
A-G: Gay Couples Who Exchange Vows In N.M. Not Married
Clerk Has Issued Marriage Licenses To Gay, Lesbian Couples
UPDATED: 5:24 PM MST February 20, 2004
BERNALILLO, N.M. -- Gay and lesbian couples lined up Friday outside a courthouse to tie the knot after a county clerk said she would grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
But, a spokeswoman for state Attorney General Patricia Madrid said that the more than a dozen same-sex couples who went through marriage ceremonies in Bernalillo are not married. Two state senators -- Democrat Tim Jennings, of Roswell, and Republican Steve Komadina, of Corrales -- had asked the attorney general for an opinion on whether it's legal to issue marriage licenses for same-sex couples.
Madrid issued an advisory letter Friday saying county clerks should not issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples because those licenses would be invalid under current law. Madrid's spokeswoman, Sam Thompson, said the attorney general's interpretation is that same-sex marriages are invalid under current law.
The letter cited sections of law that talk specifically about a husband or wife. The letter said the only recourse would be to change the law.
Pastor Thought He Was Marrying Couples
An Albuquerque pastor said he married more than a dozen same-sex couples outside the Sandoval County Courthouse by Friday afternoon.
Among those married by the Rev. David Gant, of Albuquerque's Emmanuel Metro Community Church, are Robin Smith and Jerri Rodriguez of Albuquerque.
Smith teared up and said this was the happiest day of her life.
Clerk's Decision To Issue Licenses A Surprise
The Sandoval County clerk's decision to issue marriage licenses for same-sex couples surprised supporters and opponents of gay marriages.
Linda Siegle is a lobbyist representing the Coalition for Equality in New Mexico, a statewide advocacy group for equal rights.
She said she assumes clerk Victoria Dunlap was issuing the licenses to force some kind of decision on the issue in New Mexico.
Siegle said the matter now has been pushed to the forefront for her group, which will conduct a statewide campaign in favor of same-sex marriages.
Governor Opposes Gay Marriage, But Civil Unions OK
Gov. Bill Richardson said at a news conference Friday that he opposes same-sex marriages, but supports domestic partnership civil unions.
"Marriage is between a man and a woman," Richardson said.
He pointed out, however, that last year, he signed an executive order extending the same benefits -- such as health insurance -- to domestic partners of gay and lesbian employees of state government. Those same benefits are provided to married state workers.
Richardson said he doesn't think any legislation or constitutional change is needed to prohibit same-sex marriages. And he said he would oppose a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages.
The governor said the state Supreme Court probably will have to resolve the question of whether state law allows gay or lesbian couples to get marriage licenses.
They are homosexual faggot queers and should be called what they really are. That would take the flowery innocents of their sexual lifestyle. To much PC bullsh*t, and I'm sick of it.
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