Same-sex marriage ruled legal by NM's high court

[pinto]

SANTA FE, N.M. -- New Mexico's highest court has legalized same-sex marriage, declaring it is unconstitutional to deny a marriage license to gay and lesbian couples.

The state Supreme Court issued its ruling Thursday. New Mexico joins 16 states and the District of Columbia in allowing gay marriage.

Eight of the state's 33 counties have started issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples since August, when a county clerk in southern New Mexico independently decided to allow the unions.

County officials asked the high court to clarify the law and establish a uniform state policy on gay marriage.

LBN post - http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014677419

[dbackjon]

1. Awesome

[joeybee12]

2. A very BIG Knr!

[Warpy]

3. Foregone conclusion

Several counties have been issuing the licenses for some time and the whole thing has been met by a huge, collective yawn here, even in the churches.

There was really no other way to rule and stay within the boundaries of the state constitution.

NM is a strange state, still the wild west in a lot of ways but banning the DP, electing a lot of Democrats, defeating a restrictive abortion bill in the big city by double digits, and now by making marriage equal statewide.

[pinto]

4. If I ever move from CA, I would choose NM. Love the state.

[Warpy]

5. I've always been glad that when I left Boston, I landed here

I really didn't want California: too crowded, too expensive, and geologically unstable. Also too many far right wing nuts for comfort.

Now that it's winter, San Diego is looking a bit better. However, I'm completely spoiled by living in the high desert.