N.M. Allows Gay 'Marriages' in Mass.; Recognition Uncertain
Homosexual couples from New Mexico can "marry" in Massachusetts. But those who do must be prepared to live with uncertainty, gay "marriage" advocates cautioned Thursday.
Massachusetts officials ruled earlier this month that same-sex couples from New Mexico are now eligible to tie the knot in Massachusetts which is the only state that allows same-sex "marriage." New Mexico joins Rhode Island as the only states whose gay residents can "marry" in Massachusetts.
A July 18 notice instructed Massachusetts' city and town clerks to give licenses to gay couples from New Mexico because the Southwestern state does not explicitly ban marriage between parties of the same gender. It does not, however, endorse it either.
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Although a sign of hope for gay marriage advocates, couples who marry will be "respected to varying degrees," warned Equality New Mexico, which favors same-sex "marriage," according to The Associated Press.
"We still have a ways to go before we can expect the state to recognize the marriages of same-sex couples," said Peter Simonson, executive director of the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) of New Mexico.
It is not yet clear how many homosexual couples from New Mexico have married in Massachusetts, said John Auerbach, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Meanwhile, Phil Sisneros, a spokesman for New Mexico Attorney General Gary K. King, said no one has challenged the legality of a same-sex "marriage" performed in Massachusetts, according to The Boston Globe.
"We're not prone to tell Massachusetts how to interpret New Mexico law," he said. "If and when the issue comes up, we'll address it."
In February, two bills that would have banned same-sex "marriage," in New Mexico died after a House committee tabled them.
The issue is expected to be debated again in 2008. Gilbert Gallegos, a spokesman for Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico, said his office will seek to recognize gay "marriages" next year, as reported by The Boston Globe.
Rhode Island has not yet decided whether to recognize same-sex "marriages" from Massachusetts.
Same-sex "marriage" has been legal in Massachusetts since 2004.
