December 27, 2013
NM County has Not Issued Gay Marriage Licenses
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 1 MIN.
The clerk of Lea County says she has yet to issue any marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
The Hobbs News-Sun reports that's because Pat Chappelle says no gay or lesbian couples have come into her office for a marriage license, but she has received a few phone calls.
Chappelle says she believes it's just a matter of time before a same-sex couple asks her for a license, and she says she will follow the law.
The New Mexico Supreme Court this month ruled it unconstitutional to bar same-sex couples from getting marriage licenses.
New Mexico joined 16 other states and the District of Columbia in allowing gay marriage either through legislation, court rulings or voter referendums in a national trend that has dramatically shifted in just a few years.