Doña Ana County Clerk Lynn Ellins announces that his office is now issuing marriage licenses to same-gender couples, a first in the state’s history, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013 in Las Cruces, N.M. Gay and lesbian couples flocked to southern New Mexico for a second day Thursday to take advantage of a surprise decision to issue same-sex marriage licenses. And most were tying the knot on the spot, making sure they got their long-awaited marriage certificates before any courts or state officials could interfere (AP Photo/Las Cruces Sun-News, Shari Vialpando-Hill) MANDATORY CREDIT
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Just two days after a New Mexico county clerk decided to start issuing gay marriage licenses, a district judge has ordered a clerk in another county to do the same.
Rep. Brian Egolf, a lawyer handling a lawsuit by two Santa Fe men, said Friday that Judge Sarah Singleton’s order represents the first time a New Mexico judge has ruled that gay couples can be married.
The order issued late Thursday mandates that Santa Fe County Clerk Geraldine Salazar issue the marriage licenses or appear in court to tell the judge why that shouldn’t happen.
Salazar didn’t immediately return a telephone call from The Associated Press.
Around 90 same-sex couples have received marriage licenses this week since the Dona Ana County clerk decided on his own to grant them.
