VIDEO: New Mexico family comes together in support of the freedom to marry

This week, New Mexico Unites for Marriage, the coalition working to defend the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in New Mexico, launched a video profile of the Montoya Family. The video features Dorothy Montoya, 80, of Espanolawas, who was married for 56 years to her late husband, Jose. Together, they raised six children, including her openly gay son, Roger, 52, now engaged to his partner Salvador Ruiz, 47. Dorothy believes all of her children - including Roger - deserve the fundamental freedom to marry the person they love.

New Mexico Unites for Marriage campaign manager Robert Adams explained more about the video today. He said:

With majority support for the freedom to marry, we want legislators to understand that tampering in any way with marriage hurts families across New Mexico,” said NMUM campaign manager Robert Adams. “As the governor has said, marriage equality is now the law of the land and we urge lawmakers to resist any fringe attempt to dilute or overturn this important and powerful decision that helps every family in New Mexico.

 On December 19, 2013, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in a lawsuit seeking clarification on laws regarding the freedom to marry in the state. The ruling affirmed what a majority of New Mexicans already know: That everyone in the state should have the freedom to marry the person they love. Last month, as same-sex couples and families across New Mexico rejoiced as they celebrated the unanimous ruling, a small group of legislators opposed to the freedom to marry vowed to introduce legislation that would amend the New Mexico constitution so that same-sex couples are again excluded from marriage.

Now, New Mexico Unites for Marriage is working to defend the ruling: The coalition has led the conversation about why marriage matters in the state. The broad and diverse coalition included state and national organizations, business and civic leaders, and everyday New Mexicans. Freedom to Marry is proud to serve as a founding and leading member of New Mexico Unites, alongside the ACLU of New Mexico, Equality New Mexico, ProgressNow New Mexico, America Votes, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the Our America Initiative.

Learn more here, and watch the video below: