Marriage News Watch: December 30, 2013

New Mexico Gets Marriage Equality

From the New Mexico Supreme Court (as reported by Think Progress): 

We conclude that although none of New Mexico’s marriage statutes specifically prohibit same-gender marriages, when read as a whole, the statutes have the effect of precluding same-gender couples from marrying and benefiting from the rights, protections, and responsibilities that flow from a civil marriage. Same-gender couples who wish to enter into a civil marriage with another person of their choice and to the exclusion of all others are similarly situated to opposite-gender couples who want to do the same, yet they are treated differently. 

Because same-gender couples (whether lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, hereinafter “LGBT”) are a discrete group which has been subjected to a history of discrimination and violence, and which has inadequate political power to protect itself from such treatment, the classification at issue must withstand intermediate scrutiny to be constitutional. Accordingly, New Mexico may neither constitutionally deny same-gender couples the right to marry nor deprive them of the rights, protections, and responsibilities of marriage laws, unless the proponents of the legislation—the opponents of same-gender marriage—prove that the discrimination caused by the legislation is “substantially related to an important government interest.”

Unlike most other states, New Mexico had no law specifically allowing or prohibiting marriage for same-sex couples.

Marriage News Watch: October 28, 2013

Marriage News Watch: September 16, 2013

Marriage News Watch: September 9, 2013

Marriage News Watch: September 3, 2013

Marriage News Watch: August 26, 2013

New Mexico Shuttle Firm Apologizes to Gay Couple

From Edge New England:

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- The company that runs the shuttle service to the Albuquerque airport’s rental-car center is apologizing after a driver allegedly ordered a gay couple to sit in the back of the shuttle bus.

Standard Parking Inc. says it respects the equal rights of all customers and doesn’t tolerate discrimination of any kind.

It also says the employee was suspended after the company learned in July of the late June incident.

You can find the link to the original story HERE.

Gay Couple Ordered to the Back of the Bus

From KRQE: 

McCoy said he and his partner sat in the front of a shuttle bus, holding hands when a driver discriminated against them. 

“I saw him look at us, look down at his hands and he looked so angry,” McCoy said. “He just blurted out at me, he goes, “’Okay, if you’re going to do that, you’re going to the back of the bus.’” 

Shocked and not wanting to cause problems, the couple obeyed. Once the shuttle stopped at its destination, however, the couple asked the driver why he forced them to move. 

“I said, ‘I think it was because you didn’t like the fact that I was holding my partner’s hand.’ He goes, ‘See, now you’re telling on yourself.’ My partner responds, ‘Well, that’s discrimination,’ and the driver responds, ‘You’re telling on yourself again,’” McCoy said. 

A woman, originally from Albuquerque, witnessed the confrontation and jumped in. “I told the bus driver that I was completely appalled that anybody would be treated this way,” said Bernadette Aguirre. 

“And the driver looks back at us and goes, ‘I’ll show you what’s appalling,’ and he points to us,” McCoy said.

Gay couple forced to back of bus

Marriage News Watch: July 29, 2013

A New Mexico County Bans Oil & Gas Drilling

94 Interfaith Leaders For Equality in New Mexico

A statement of 94 interfaith leaders in support of marriage equality in New Mexico released by ACLU-NM and Equality New Mexico: 

We, the undersigned clergy and religious leaders from across New Mexico, draw upon our moral convictions and our personal faith to support the freedom to marry in our state.  

We are leaders of various faith communities, who have lived and ministered closely with thousands of families through all of life’s glory, tragedy, and tedium. Some of these families are headed by same-sex couples. They, like many of us, enjoy the holidays with aunts and cousins, struggle to meet the mortgage, and fret over children who aren’t doing well in school. 

These families are our neighbors, our co-workers, our friends and our peers. As people of faith and as New Mexicans, we believe in loving our neighbors, and treating one another as we would like to be treated—with dignity and respect. This means recognizing the love and commitment of lesbian and gay couples through marriage. 

Entering into a committed, loving relationship is one of life’s most sacred and holy gifts. Marriage means responsibility and hard work, but it also brings life-changing protections for a family. Those of us who are married often take for granted the fact that we will not be questioned when we go to the hospital to visit our spouse; that no one can step between a mother and her children; that if death comes suddenly and we are unprepared, our spouse or children will not be denied inheritance in those mournful hours. Most heterosexual couples wouldn’t want to be denied these joys and protections that come with marriage, and when they think about it, they wouldn’t want to deny that to anyone else, either. 

We recognize that there are a diversity of views in the faith community, and respect the right of religious groups to refuse to officiate or bless marriages for lesbian or gay couples. Indeed, not everyone in our congregations or denominations agrees with this viewpoint. By the same token, we support civil marriage fairness as an issue of religious freedom, for a denial of civil recognition dishonors the religious convictions of those communities and clergy who do officiate, and bless, marriages for same-sex couples. 

Our religious principles are grounded in a love and acceptance of all people, and we believe deeply that means embracing marriage between same-sex couples. 

New Mexico has a long history of valuing and protecting the humanity and dignity of every person. It is time to extend this tradition to families that include same-sex couples.

Here is yet another example of people of faith supporting equality for all. Socially conservative talking heads like Tony Perkins and Ralph Reed do NOT speak for all religious people. On the contrary, they speak for fewer and fewer people on these issue. Given their bloviations, that is certainly a good thing. You can find a list of signatories of this statement HERE. 

Marriage Equality Is "Permitted In New Mexico"

From On Top Magazine: 

The Santa Fe Council has adopted a resolution stating that gay marriage is already legal in New Mexico. 

Mayor David Coss and City Councilor Patti introduced the resolution declaring such unions legal in the state. Five councilors out of eight voted in favor of the resolution... 

...The resolution urges county clerks to begin issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples who wish to get married and is based partly on an opinion issued by City Attorney Geno Zamora. 

Zamora's legal memo states, “New Mexico's statutory definition of marriage is gender-neutral. Since New Mexico does not define marriage as between a man and a woman, and since New Mexico does not prohibit same-sex marriage, same-sex marriage is permitted in New Mexico.”

I have no doubt that the pro-discrimination lobby will make a move preclude equality in the state as they often do. 

The Wrap-Up: May 29, 2012

Rudy Giuliani is definitely not a good spokesman for Mitt Romney.

A New Mexico health official was asked to resign after advocating condom use (the governor is one of those abstinence-only deluded conservatives). P.S. New Mexico has the nation's highest teen pregnancy rate.

Letters sent to the judge of the Dharun Ravi case may have influenced the sentence he handed down (again, I'm using the word sentence loosely in this case).

A brutal hate crime took place at a high school graduation party in Minnesota.

While demanding the right to hold a gay pride parade, about 40 Russian activists were arrested in Moscow. Note to self: do NOT go to Russia.

A debate will take place in London tonight (London time) on the possible implementation of marriage equality in England and Wales.

The state Supreme Court of Ohio has dismissed an attempt by social conservatives to stop a pro-marriage equality amendment.

North Carolina's "Concentration Camp" Pastor Worley faced a protest of well over a thousand people on Sunday (compared to a counter-protest of about 50).

And lastly, Donald Trump is still full of crap (i.e. himself).

The Wrap-Up: February 24, 2012

Gov. Bill Haslam (R-TN)

Homophobic politicians are finding it harder to get served, from a cafe owner in Tennessee to a hairstylist in New Mexico.

Speaking of Tennessee, its governor has something to say about that"Don't Say Gay" bill.

Another Texas politician is showing himself to be an ignorant idiot. When will Texas have enough of these clowns?

The Obama administration has made an awful call in regards to green card petitions for bi-national gay couples.

Most of what George W. Bush did as president was...terrible (that's the rated G version). However, appointing this federal judge was not so bad.

This kind of language is coming from the "statesman" that many Republicans want as their presidential candidate.

As some Washingtonians attempt to undo the state's recently passed marriage equality bill, the language they are using to do so has been called into question...by other marriage equality opponents.

If you thought the Bush tax cuts were bad (p.s. the WERE, and that's putting it lightly), wait until you see the Romney tax cuts.

Maryland is now a freer, fairer state.

And lastly, Jon Stewart REALLY wants to make a Santorum joke.

The Wrap-Up: February 20, 2012

Garden State Equality had an interesting response to Gov. Chris Christie's veto of marriage equality.

North Carolina's anti-equality amendment doesn't just affect marriage, it's effects are far more reaching and dangerous.

In other far-reaching legislation, several states are pushing back against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which allows for indefinite detention of Americans without trial AND allows for the U.S. military to operate within the United States.

To whom it may concern, THIS is how one makes up for saying something homophobic, instead of a half-assed "I'm sorry IF I offended anyone." Are you reading this athletes (not all, but they know who they are)?

New Mexico's version of DoMA (the so-called Defense of Marriage Act) is dead. My condolences (well...not really).

President John Adams

The Obama administration takes another pro-gay step  that we KNOW would not happen under a Republican president (and may be undone under one).

Speaking of Obama, he really can't catch a break with the GOP. Something bad happens and it's all his fault. Something good happens and it's a conspiracy. So much for giving props where props are due I suppose.

There is some interesting information on socialized medicine and health care mandates...from the 1700's...and passed/signed by the founders.

And lastly, got up early to get grilled on marriage equality. She's seriously spinning faster a windmill in a tornado.

The Wrap-Up: February 16, 2012

When it comes to this recent argument over contraception, the GOP is (yet again) out of touch with most Americans...and most Catholics.

"Doctor" Keith Ablow (a psychological contributor for Fox) makes a judgement call on Media Matters founder David Brock. I wonder how much time the "doctor" spent with Brock to make this diagnosis.

As Freedom to Marry calls on the Democratic Party platform to embrace fulls LGBT equality (including marriage), Nancy Pelosi shows her support.

A committee in the New Mexico state House had a very disappointing way of celebrating Valentine's Day.

Virginia's drunk drivers are in the legislature's cross-hairs.

While I'm on the Commonwealth, some same-sex couples in the Virginia see reasons for optimism.

The most homophobic member of the New York state legislature may be seeking a seat in the House of Representatives.

Liebes Deutschland, YOU'RE WELCOME. Love, English-speakers.

A Civil Unions bill is advancing through the Colorado legislature.

And lastly, this didn't make the television broadcast at the Grammys (commercial break), but here is Adele's epic (and melodic) take-down of Newt Gingrich. Thank God her throat surgery went well or this may not have happened.