ACLU of New Mexico Applauds Legislature for Supporting Freedom to Marry

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Today, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico commended the New Mexico State Legislature for rejecting the most recent attempt to amend the state constitution to exclude committed and loving same-sex couples from marriage. The proposed bill, Senate Joint Resolution 6, proposed by Senator Sharer, was never heard in committee.

“This legislative session saw lawmakers on both sides of the aisle-the governor included- defending marriage equality as the law of the land,” said ACLU-NM Executive Director Peter Simonson. “The majority of New Mexicans who support the freedom to marry have made it clear to their representatives that we want to continue to be a state that respects and recognizes same-sex relationships. If this session was any indication, marriage equality is here to stay in New Mexico.”

Marriage for same-sex couples has been legal in New Mexico since the New Mexico State Supreme Court ruled in December 2013 in Griego v. Oliver that excluding same-sex couples from marriage is unconstitutional. The case was brought by the ACLU, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the Sutin Law Firm.