New Mexico Supreme Court hears arguments in Marriage Equality case

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

The Albuqurque Journal reports on today's arguments before the New Mexico Supreme Court. NM Supreme Court: No immediate ruling on same-sex marriage, but plenty of tough questions:

The New Mexico Supreme Court has wrapped up a landmark two-hour
hearing on whether gay marriage should be legalized in the state.

Nearly 170 people crammed into the court’s chambers and several
overflow rooms for the hearing, while others had to be turned away due
to a lack of space.

While the state’s highest court did not issue an immediate
ruling on the issue, same-sex marriage advocates said after the hearing
they like their chances.

“I thought it went very well,” said Monica Leaming of
Farmington, who attended the proceedings with her wife, Cecilia Taulbee.
“I’m optimistic about the outcome, because there’s a strong indication
that most New Mexicans support same-sex marriage.”

Meanwhile, gay marriage opponents suggested they would
pursue a statewide election — via a constitutional amendment — on the
issue of gay marriage if the Supreme Court rules to sanction it.

“I think the most important thing here is no matter what
their decision is, the issue will not be settled until the people
speak,” said Sen. Bill Sharer, R-Farmington.

During the two-hour oral arguments, several Supreme Court
justices had pointed questions for James Campbell, an Arizona-based
attorney representing Sharer and other GOP legislators.

At one point, justice Richard Bosson appeared to take issue
with Campbell’s argument that the state has an interest in ensuring that
marriage remains limited to between one man and one woman.

“Marriage is much more than just a vehicle for natural
procreation,” Bosson said, pointing out the state does not ask
heterosexual couples whether they plan to have children.

A total of 1,466 marriage licenses — most of them in
Bernalillo and Santa Fe Counties — have been issued to same-sex couples
across New Mexico since August, when lower court rulings opened the door
to gay marriage.

It’s unclear when the New Mexico Supreme Court will issue a ruling in
the case of Griego v. Oliver. "But several
attorneys said they suspect a decision could come quickly."

Check out Why Marriage Matters New Mexico and Why Marriage Matters New Mexico | Facebook