NM county to issue same-sex marriage licenses

RUSSELL CONTRERAS, Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A southern New Mexico county clerk has announced that his office will begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses.

Dona Ana County Clerk Lynn Ellins said in a statement Wednesday that he carefully read the state laws and concluded that "state's marriage neutral and do not expressly prohibit Dona Ana County from issuing marriage licenses to same-gender couples."

Ellins says he had been considering issuing licenses since last June. That's when New Mexico Attorney General Gary King issued a position paper stating state laws don't allow same-sex marriage but those laws could face court challenges.

King also asked county clerks to hold off on issuing same-sex marriage licenses.

If acted upon, Dona Ana County would become the first county in New Mexico to actively issue same-sex licenses.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

August 21, 2013