# New Mexico may join SF in issuing SSM licenses **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 20, 2004, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-mexico-may-join-sf-in-issuing-ssm-licenses/230228 "2004-02-20T17:24:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-mexico-may-join-sf-in-issuing-ssm-licenses/230228/1 "2004-02-20T17:24:12Z")
[At least in one county](http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/02/022004nmWed.htm). > [@](#): > > Sandoval County, a community of about 90,000 people just north of Albuquerque will issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. > > \ > > State law defines marriage as a civil contract between contracting parties, but does not mention gender. > > \ > > A spokesperson for state Attorney General Patricia Madrid, Sam Thompson, said the attorney general’s office never has been asked for an opinion on the issue. This may actually, because of the language of the statute, be a stronger case than what SF has going. I do, however, have the sinking feeling that the next news dispatch will be headlined “New Mexico passes law defining marriage as one man-one woman.” ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-mexico-may-join-sf-in-issuing-ssm-licenses/230228/2 "2004-02-20T17:50:21Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > [At least in one county](http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/02/022004nmWed.htm). > This may actually, because of the language of the statute, be a stronger case than what SF has going. I do, however, have the sinking feeling that the next news dispatch will be headlined “New Mexico passes law defining marriage as one man-one woman.” Only two ways that can happen now. Richardson would have to either do it by executive order, if possible, or call a special session. There have been a lot of special sessions in New Mexico, so it’s possible. I don’t know if anyone is going to go to Sandoval County and become a test case, though. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-mexico-may-join-sf-in-issuing-ssm-licenses/230228/3 "2004-02-20T22:02:00Z")
[First licenses issued, first couples married](http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/02/022004nmWed.htm). > [@](#): > > A lesbian couple was issued the first license and exchanged vows outside the county courthouse Friday as other same-sex couples lined up for their chance to tie the knot. > > County Clerk Victoria Dunlap said she feared a lawsuit if she does not grant the licenses to gay couples. > > \ > > Shortly after the word was out, gay and lesbian couples began arriving at the clerk’s office. ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-mexico-may-join-sf-in-issuing-ssm-licenses/230228/4 "2004-02-20T22:18:13Z")
Oh, I hope this keeps happening! YAY! ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-mexico-may-join-sf-in-issuing-ssm-licenses/230228/5 "2004-02-20T23:10:12Z")
New Mexico, hotbed of gay lust! Hey, that would look swell on their license plates. ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-mexico-may-join-sf-in-issuing-ssm-licenses/230228/6 "2004-02-21T01:36:06Z")
> [@Snooooopy](#): > > New Mexico, hotbed of gay lust! Dude, marriage is based on a lot more than lust. And it’s gonna be grrrrrrreat to go back to my home state! ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2004, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/new-mexico-may-join-sf-in-issuing-ssm-licenses/230228/7 "2004-02-21T04:07:27Z")
New mexico’s [attorney general](http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/02/022004nmUpdt.htm) says the licenses are invalid. But ultimately the courts will decide.