Encouraging Marriage Developments

This is the text of a press release we just sent out:

Statewide LGBTQ Group Encouraged On Marriage Equality

Las Cruces and Gallup – On the heals of Santa Fe City Attorney Geno Zamora's opinion that marriage equality is already legal in New Mexico, Dona Ana County Clerk Lynn Ellins is seeking an opinion from the Attorney General. New Mexico GLBTQ Centers is encouraged by these developments on the marriage equality front.

“County Clerk Ellins' request that Rep. Bill McCamley, D-Mesilla Park, seek an immediate opinion from the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General about whether same-sex marriage licenses can be issued by county clerks' offices statewide is potentially a huge step forward for same gender couples in New Mexico,” states David Stocum, Executive Director of New Mexico GLBTQ Centers.

According to press reports, "I am hopeful, as is my staff, that ours can be the office that shifts the tide in the State of New Mexico," Ellins said. "With Rep. McCamley's assistance, we will soon have in hand an opinion that will clarify the matter statewide."

“The tide has been turning in our favor, the US Supreme Court is hearing arguments next week regarding the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act and Prop 8. This is another opportunity to do the right thing,” says Stocum, “and it's fabulous it's here in New Mexico.”

Stocum concluded, “Our thanks to Santa Fe City Attorney Zamora, Mr. Ellins and Rep. McCamley for taking the lead in this latest effort at full equality for LGBTQ New Mexicans.”

New Mexico GLBTQ Centers is a statewide organization based in Las Cruces whose mission is to reduce homophobia and enrich the lives of individuals living in New Mexico who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer through education, advocacy, support, example and collaboration.

For more information on New Mexico GLBTQ Centers; visit www.newmexicoglbtqcenters.org or stop by the centers at 1210 N. Main Street in Las Cruces or 105 Dean Street in Gallup.

We Need A New Way To Think About Charity

The New Mexico GLBTQ Centers vision of a system of community centers with extensive outreach to the rural areas of New Mexico with both center and non-center based programs based on community needs,collaborating with GLBTQ groups, allies and others to reduce homophobia and enrich lives to create a New Mexico where diversity is celebrated and all New Mexico are respected equally. Is pure social innovation like Dan is talking about. I beat my head against the dirty word "overhead" on a nearly daily basis. The things we accomplish with almost no money are amazing. I can only imagine what we could do with financing based on Dan's ideas in this video.

Confused?

What do you really think Rep. Garcia? Is the truth your statement issued early today (posted below) or this video of the 4pm Thursday Newscast from Channel 13 in Albuquerque? Rep. Garcia speaks at about 1:20 in the story.

House panel shoots down gay marriage

Constitutional Amendments Too Stringent: Setting the Record Straight By State Rep. Mary Helen Garcia, District 34

Over the last several days people have been talking back and forth about my votes on minimum wage and same sex marriage. While I believe I was elected to use my own judgment, I would like the record to reflect my thoughts.

The media has taken what I have said out of context, I apologize if anyone believes that I set out to intentionally hurt anyone. I stand on my record, which will clearly show that I have spent my entire career putting people first.

Regardless of how I personally feel about either issue, as the Chairwoman of Voters and Elections I believe that minimum wage and same sex marriage do not belong on the ballot. By this I mean that both issues were brought before my committee as constitutional amendments, which means that both issues would have to be put on the ballot in the next election cycle.

As everyone knows the Legislative process requires the approval of both houses and the executive branch. This process serves a purpose and provides the best opportunity for citizen involvement and fair representation. While it might be an idealistic view, I believe that the Legislative process should be respected except in a case of dire emergency.

Again I believe that the issues of minimum wage and same sex marriage are issues that should be debated, compromised, and scrutinized by the legislature, not manipulated for political gain. I do not believe that either issue met the requirements to disregard the principles of the legislative process.

While I believe constitutional amendments serve a purpose, we must realize that the constitutional amendment process is much more stringent than that required of ordinary legislation.

 

Defeat of HJR3 Disrespects Gay Community

New Mexico GLBTQ Centers responded today to the defeat in the New Mexico House Voters and Elections Committee of HJR3, the marriage equality amendment.

Centers' Executive Director, David Stocum, responded, “Despite passionate pleas from bill sponsor Brian Eglof and House Speaker Martinez, Las Cruces Representative and committee Chair Mary Helen Garcia was one of two Democrats to vote with Republicans to table HJR3 effectively killing it.” Stocum also stated, “The gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community is especially disappointed with Rep. Garcia since we believed her to be our friend.”

New Mexico GLBTQ Centers sent the following letter to Rep. Garcia via email:

“I am dismayed and disappointed with your vote killing HJR3. Your vote denied the respect for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (glbt) community in New Mexico that we deserve.

Despite the long history of New Mexican's having the backs of our friends and family along with the belief by most in our state that we should treat others the way we would like to be treated, you voted to leave over 45,000 New Mexicans (from Movement Advancement Project) out in the cold.

This is not a complicated issue, it is about respecting all families in New Mexico, including mine.

My partner, Richard, and I have been together 13 years, and given the opportunity, would love to share our commitment surrounded by our friends, family and neighbors, and to have the security and protections that only marriage will give us.

We share the worries of other couples, like making ends meet, the possibility of losing our income, and making sure that we can offer the safety and security that our loved ones deserve. As foster parents, we have the same concerns as all parents ... supporting our kids success in school, keeping them safe and away from gangs, drugs and the dangers of being a kid in the 21st century. We are no different than any other couple, gay or straight, in New Mexico.

Yet we, and all glbt couples, are disrespected and that disrespect is sanctioned by our elected officials like yourself with this unfortunate vote. What does this say to a glbt youth being bullied in school? This is not a religious issue. I, and most in the glbt community, strongly support religious freedom. Marriage equality is a civil matter. Allowing Richard and I to marry won't change anything for churches or ministers. No pastor or priest would be required to marry a same sex couple. It would allow those ministers and churches who support marriage to marry same sex couples. This means freedom for all religions to follow the teachings of their faith.

I hope that you and all New Mexicans will reflect on what marriage equality is really about, fairness, respect and dignity for all New Mexican families.”