Last updated on: 10/6/2014 | Author: ProCon.org

Dec. 19, 2013 – New Mexico Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

“New Mexico’s highest court unanimously ruled Thursday [Dec. 19, 2013] it is unconstitutional to deny a marriage license to same-sex couples, making it the newest state to legalize gay weddings.

The Supreme Court justices said the state must respect the marriages of all same-sex couples, including those who wed before their decision. Prior to the ruling, county clerks in eight New Mexico counties had started issuing marriage licenses to hundreds of same-sex couples.

‘Barring individuals from marrying and depriving them of the rights, protections and responsibilities of civil marriage solely because of their sexual orientation violates the Equal Protection Clause under Article II, Section 18 of the New Mexico Constitution,’ Justice Edward Chavez wrote for the court.”