ACLU-NM Applauds AG’s Opinion Supporting Marriage Recognition

Attorney General Gary King’s Opinion Clears Way to Recognizing Out-of-State Marriages between Gay and Lesbian Couples
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2011
CONTACT: Micah McCoy, (505) 266-5915 Ext. 1003 or mmccoy@aclu-nm.org
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico (ACLU-NM) applauds yesterday’s opinion by New Mexico Attorney General Gary King concluding that the state can legally recognize out of state marriages between gay and lesbian couples. While not legally binding, this opinion signals that New Mexicans are increasingly ready to include all committed couples in marriage.
“Attorney General King’s opinion is an important step towards achieving basic relationship fairness here in New Mexico,” said ACLU-NM Executive Director Peter Simonson. “Recognizing out-of-state same-sex marriages would be a powerful acknowledgement that marriage matters to gay people in similar ways that it matters to everyone.  Gay and lesbian couples want to get married in order to make a lifetime commitment to the person they love.”
Hundreds of gay and lesbian couples have already publicly affirmed their commitment to one another through marriage in the five states in which it is currently legal to do so. Extending the legal and economic protections of marriage to these couples in this state would significantly increase their families’ security, stability and status in the community.
ACLU-NM also thanks Representative Al Park for his advocacy on behalf of the LGBT community and his important role in the release of this opinion.
The full AG opinion may be read online at nmag.gov.
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