Santa Fe officials to sponsor resolution supporting marriage in New Mexico

By Adam Polaski
Mar 20, 2013 at 03:45 pm

Yesterday in Santa Fe, NM, Mayor David Cross and Councilor Patti Bushee announced that they would sponsor a resolution recognizing that same-sex couples can legally marry in the state of New Mexico and that county clerks should begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. 

The resolution is based on the gender-neutral language in the state's marriage law and the state constitution's commitment to equality for all residents of New Mexico. The resolution also instructs same-sex couples on how they should file lawsuits if they are denied licenses to marry. 

Freedom to Marry's Director of Public Engagement Thalia Zepatos, who advises New Mexico groups working toward the freedom to marry, applauded the Santa Fe officials' steps toward marriage, saying:

At a time when all Americans are talking about why marriage matters for gay and lesbian couples, we stand behind Mayor Coss and Councilor Bushee for their forward-thinking move to bring the state closer to the equality mandated by the state constitution. It's time to end the exclusion from marriage, and Freedom to Marry looks forward to working with Equality New Mexico and the City of Santa Fe to assure all New Mexico couples the freedom to marry.

The resolution is expected to be introduced next week.