Statement of Peter Simonson, ACLU of New Mexico Executive Director
FOR IMMIDIATE RELEASE: May 16, 2008 CONTACT: (505) 266-5915 ext. 1003
The march toward full equality for gay men and lesbians took a critical step forward this week when the California Supreme Court ruled that a ban on marriage for same-sex couples was impermissible under the California state constitution.  While this victory is primarily symbolic for us here in New Mexico, it strengthens our resolve, and that of our allies, to pass legislation in our state that creates the same legal protections for same-sex couples as married couples currently enjoy.  Until that time, families in New Mexico will go without sources of security, like health insurance, that ensure their stability, and discrimination will tarnish our record on civil rights and fairness.  The time has come for freedom-loving New Mexicans to draw inspiration from the California decision and pass the Domestic Partners Rights and Responsibilities Act.

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The mission of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico is to maintain and advance the cause of civil liberties within the state of New Mexico, with particular emphasis on the freedom of religion, speech, press, association, and assemblage, and the right to vote, due process of law and equal protection of law, and to take any legitimate action in the furtherance and defense of such purposes. These objectives shall be sought wholly without political partisanship.