LGBT Equality In The Enchantment State-- New Mexico Democrats Are Jubilant While DCCC Hack Is Mum

“Denying same-gender couples the right to marry and thus depriving them and their families of the rights, protections, and responsibilities of civil marriage violates the equality demanded by the Equal Protection Clause of the New Mexico Constitution,” Justice Edward Chavez wrote for the five-member court, which ruled unanimously Thursday, making New Mexico the 17th state jun the Union to back marriage equality for LGBT citizens.

New Mexico is a pretty live-and-let-live kind of state. Bigots and haters tend, like everywhere, to gravitate towards the Republican Party, which now has just one member in the state's 5 member federal delegation, deranged homophobe Stevan Pearce. Pearce has one of the worst voting records on LGBT equality of any Member of Congress, even worse than your average, garden variety Republican congressman. After the ruling, Pearce sent out a spokesman to make sure New Mexico voters know here he still stands. Eric Layer: "Congressman Pearce thinks this is a profoundly unwise decision. Changing the definition of marriage should only come from the people through legislation debated and passed by elected representatives.”

All the other members of the state's DC contingent had a distinctly different opinion than Peace. Ben Ray Luján: “Now everyone will be treated equally under the law… Today’s decision by the New Mexico Supreme Court ensures that every couple can make the personal choice of marriage. Marriage equality is a matter of civil rights and treating all people who are in loving and committed relationships fairly. Gay and lesbian couples make the same contributions and sacrifices that we all do, including paying taxes, owning business and caring for their families.” Michelle Lujan Grisham, a freshman who represents the Albuquerque area called the ruling “an incredible victory for New Mexico… This ruling confirms what we already know and believe-- that in New Mexico, freedom means freedom for everyone. I’m thrilled that all New Mexicans now have the opportunity to marry the person they love, and I’m proud that our state is on the right side of history.”


Both the state's U.S. Senators, Tom Udall and Marin Henirich are big equality supporters. "Today's court ruling is a resounding victory for New Mexicans in all four corners who love one another and deserve to be treated equally under the law-- just as our Constitution intended," said Udall. "Our country has come a long way in advancing marriage equality for all, and I am proud New Mexico is joining in that forward progress. I'm also glad the court has finally provided the legal clarity for the countless New Mexicans who have been in limbo for too long, and I congratulate all our families in New Mexico who will finally be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve."

Heinrich was equally effusive: "Today is a proud day for New Mexico and a significant step forward to creating a fairer, more just society. I am thrilled that the New Mexico Supreme Court found that our constitution requires marriage equality for all our citizens. This ruling stands to strengthen New Mexico families and affirms that loving same sex couples who accept the responsibility of marriage are respected and recognized in our state. We must continue our march toward full equality for all Americans."

And of the two Democrats running against Pearce, one's just a DCCC hack who has been told not to make any controversial statements that could offend anyone. A search of Rocky Lara's Facebook page, her Twitter account, her DCCC-sanctioned campaign page, and numerous Google searches, show no reaction to the ruling one way or the other-- the non-leader approach the DCCC insists on. The grassroots candidate against Pearce, Leslie Endean-Singh, doesn't care about bad advice from Washington. She's running to represent her New Mexico neighbors, not the Beltway Establishment and their corrupt consultants. "I strongly support the New Mexico Supreme Court's ruling which made New Mexico the seventeenth state to recognize gay marriage," she posted on her Facebook page for all to see. "This is a great day for equality here in the Enchantment State and I am glad that my home state will recognize the unity and love shared between two loving individuals."