SAME-SEX COUPLES WILL BE LINING UP AT THE BERNALILLO COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE STARTING AT 8:00 TUESDAY MORNING. THIS FOLLOWS A COURT RULING IN ALBUQUERQUE MONDAY FROM JUDGE ALAN MALLOT THAT SAYS THE COUNTY CLERKS OF BERNALLILO AND SANTA FE COUNTIES WILL ISSUE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE LICENSES. THE DEFENDANTS WERE MAGGIE TOLOUSE-OLIVER AND GERALDINE SALAZAR. MALOTT'S RULING SAYS THEY'RE "RESTRAINED" BOTH FROM REFUSING TO ISSUE THOSE LICENSES TO COUPLES BASED ON THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER OF THE APPLICANTS.
MALOTT SAYS THE STATE CONSTITUTION BANS DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION.
THE DONA ANA COUNTY COMMISSION MEETS ON TUESDAY MORNING TO APPROVE A RESOLUTION THAT SUPPORTS SAME SEX MARRIAGE. THE COUNTY CLERK THERE BEGAN ISSUING MARRIAGE LICENSES TO GAY COUPLES LAST WEDNESDAY.
IN CELEBRATION OF JUDGE MALOTT'S RULING ON MONDAY, PROGRESS NOW NEW MEXICO SAYS GAY AND LESBIAN COUPLES WILL BE GETTING MARRIED ON CIVIC PLAZA TUESDAY AT NOON.
