News & Commentary

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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:

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.  

ALBUQUERQUE, NM—This morning, same sex couples in Doña Ana County began receiving marriage licenses after County Clerk Lynn Ellins announced his office would issue them. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Mexico and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, two of the organizations litigating a case in the New Mexico courts seeking the freedom to marry for same-sex couples, responded:

Lawsuit also asks court to recognize marriages between same-sex couples performed out of state as valid in New Mexico.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HUzbWcB0rA This video was produced for the Why Marriage Matters New Mexico campaign, an effort by the ACLU of New Mexico and E

Las Cruces resident Ryan Steinmetz and his partner of six years Salvador Adame talk about why they want the freedom to marry.

Native New Mexicans and current Farmington residents Mike and Loretta Davila speak about their journey towards acceptance of their two gay daughters.