BREAKING: SANTA FE MAYOR ANNOUNCES RESOLUTION AFFIRMING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

Could you imagine this week getting any better for the freedom to marry? Well, it did this morning as City of Santa Fe Mayor Coss and Councilor Bushee announced that they are sponsoring an official resolution " recognizing that samesex marriage is legal in New Mexico and encouraging New Mexico's county clerks to issue licenses to samesex couples." The resolution is supported by research conducted by City of Santa Fe attorney, Geno Zamora, who found the following: New Mexico's legal definition regarding marriage is gender-neutral; Same-sex couples are not listed in statute as being prohibited from marrying; New Mexico law recognizes same-sex couples married in other states; and Given that the New Mexico Constitution requires equality, regardless of sex, discrimination against same-sex couples is thus unconstitutional.

According to a release distributed by ProgressNow earlier today, "The city says the resolution provides the legal justification for county clerks to issue marriage licenses to loving, committed couples and tells couples how to file suit if they are denied." EQNM is in full support of this action, and agrees that the current New Mexico State Constitution and marriage statute provide same-sex couples the same marriage rights as opposite-sex couples. We also believe that the right of all New Mexicans to marry should be clear and explicit; thus, the courts will need to provide some definitive guidance on this matter. This resolution will be introduced to the Santa Fe City Council next week -- quite a poetic companion to the historic cases being heard at the Supreme Court in the same week! What YOU can do: 1. Read the resolution and read the opinion. 2. Sign on to ProgressNow's petition as a citizen co-sponsor to the resolution! 3. Send a note of thanks and encouragement to Mayor Coss and Councilor Bushee! 4. Support EQNM's efforts to ensure we don't lose this incredible momentum! Though EQNM is not a legal organization, we anticipate this action will definitely lead to the courts , and thus we will be at the frontlines driving education and advocacy efforts to ensure we win the freedom to marry in New Mexico! 5. MAKE SURE TO CELEBRATE! This is tremendous news for our community! Yours in Equality, Amber Royster, Executive Director

1410 Coal Ave., SW Albuquerque, NM 87104 505.224.2766 www.eqnm.org info@eqnm.org