ALBUQUERQUE, NM--Today, Judge Alan Malott of the Second Judicial District Court of the State of New Mexico ordered the county clerks of Bernalillo and Santa Fe Counties to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Ruling in a case brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the ACLU of New Mexico, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), and local attorneys on behalf of same-sex couples seeking the freedom to marry in New Mexico, Judge Malott said that denying same-sex couples access to civil marriage violates the New Mexico Constitution. The court issued a judgment against the two county clerks and the State of New Mexico declaring that, to the extent New Mexico law prevents same-sex couples from marrying, “those prohibitions are unconstitutional and unenforceable.”
“Today was yet another powerful reminder that the march to justice is unstoppable and gaining momentum,” said NCLR Executive Director Kate Kendell. “We joyful for our client couples and for every same-sex couple in New Mexico. The freedom to marry is about love, commitment, family and security. These are universal values and they are center stage today.”
Said ACLU-NM Executive Director Peter Simonson: “This is a great day to be a resident of New Mexico.  Our state is now on the brink of joining the growing list of states who live and honor the values of family, liberty and love.  Every family in this state is made richer by this step toward justice for all.”
The plaintiff couples were represented by ALCU, ACLU-NM, NCLR, and the Sutin Law Firm, and Albuquerque attorneys Maureen Sanders, Kate Girard, and Lynn Perls.
Read a copy of the court order.

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ALBUQUERQUE, NM—Today, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico applauded the Santa Fe District Court’s decision to allow loving, committed same-sex couples marry in Santa Fe County. Among those who were married were ACLU-NM marriage plaintiffs Jen Roper and Angelique Neuman. The couple has been together for 21 years, and Jen is currently suffering from a life-threatening form of brain cancer. The following statement can be attributed to ACLU-NM Executive Director Peter Simonson:

“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jen and Angelique and all the other couples who celebrated their love and commitment today in marriage. Today’s news from Santa Fe, coming on the heels of the Doña Ana County Clerk’s decision to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, illustrates the urgency New Mexicans feel about this issue. We hope that state courts will recognize this urgency and expedite their decision on marriage so that couples in every county in New Mexico can enjoy the freedom to marry.”

Jen and Angelique married soon after the county clerk began issuing licenses in an impromptu ceremony in the Christus St. Vincent cancer center where Jen was undergoing treatment. A local justice of the peace officiated and a deputy county clerk issued the marriage license.

“We are so very happy to be officially married after 21 years together,” said Jen Roper. “It was a dream come true for us and for all the other couples who married today. Now we just ask that the courts move quickly to ensure that our marriages are fully recognized and respected by the state.”

“It was wonderful and overwhelming,” said Angelique Neuman. “The part of our vows where we pledged to care for each other in sickness and in health really hit home for me. It means so much to me to know Jen is my wife, not only in my heart, but in the eyes of our friends, family, and community as well.”

The ACLU of New Mexico, along with the national ACLU and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, will continue to litigate their marriage case in state district court to ensure that all loving, committed same-sex couples can marry in New Mexico and those marriages will be fully recognized and respected by the state.

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SANTA FE, NM—Today, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico, the national ACLU, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) filed an emergency request with New Mexico’s Second Judicial District Court to allow a Pojoaque same-sex couple, Jen Roper and Angelique Neuman, to legally marry immediately because Jen suffers from a severe medical condition that may prove fatal in the near future.  Jen suffers from a life-threatening form of brain cancer, and her health has deteriorated severely in the past few months. Today’s request seeks an emergency order from the court that would allow the couple to marry so that their three children will be legally protected should Jen pass away.  

"I want to know that my family will be protected if I pass away," said Jen Roper. "Angelique and I have been married in our hearts for 21 years and raised three wonderful children together. Because of my illness, we do not have the luxury of waiting years for the courts to decide whether loving, committed same-sex couples can marry in New Mexico. For us, the time is now."

Jen and Angelique met in Socorro, NM during their first semester at New Mexico Tech, and fell in love almost immediately. Although the State of New Mexico does not recognize their relationship, the couple considers themselves married for the 21 years they have been together. The couple settled in Northern New Mexico after the Los Alamos Labs hired Angelique to work as an engineer. Later, they adopted three siblings from the New Mexico foster care system. Their oldest child is enlisted in the U.S. Army and is currently in basic training.

Due to Jen's sudden and severe illness, the couple cannot travel out of state to marry in a place that does not discriminate against same-sex couples. The only way they can hope to protect their family in this time of crisis and realize their dream of being legally married is for the New Mexico courts to grant emergency relief that would allow the County of Santa Fe to issue them a marriage license now, while the case proceeds.

"Even when I was a little kid, I always dreamed of growing up and getting married," said Angelique Neuman. "I knew Jen was the one almost as soon as we met, and I don't want to lose the opportunity to marry her. It is very important to us that our relationship is recognized as what it is: a marriage."

The plaintiffs are represented by the ACLU of New Mexico, the national ACLU, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, the Sutin Law Firm, and Albuquerque attorneys Maureen Sanders, Kate Girard, and Lynn Perls.

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The ACLU of New Mexico is an affiliate of the national ACLU, working in the courts, legislature and communities to protect and extend individual rights and liberties for all New Mexicans. www.ACLU-NM.org
The American Civil Liberties Union is our nation's guardian of liberty, working daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country. www.ACLU.org.
The National Center for Lesbian Rights is a national legal organization committed to advancing the civil and human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. www.NCLRights.org.
Sutin, Thayer & Browne, with offices in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, is one of New Mexico's largest law firms, providing exceptional legal services since 1946. More information is available at www.SutinFirm.com.