Taos News: NM senators, representatives back ‘freedom to marry’

U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich, and Congressman Ben Ray Lujan reaffirmed their support for marriage equality and joined the work of New Mexico Unites for Marriage, the campaign dedicated to securing and protecting that freedom for everyone in the state.

Their endorsements come as the New Mexico Supreme Court is poised to rule on a case filed on behalf of six plaintiff couples who were represented by the ACLU of New Mexico, the national ACLU, the National Center for Lesbian Rights and local attorneys.

“I enthusiastically support the freedom to marry for everyone in New Mexico,” said Udall in a prepared statement. “Family comes first for all of us and that’s why it is imperative that we support all New Mexican families and work together to win marriage equality and defend it if we must.”

“I am very hopeful that the New Mexico Supreme Court will find that our constitution supports full equality for all our citizens,” said  Heinrich in a prepared statemtent. “Marriage is the foundation of a strong community and I will do all I can to secure and protect this freedom for loving gay and lesbian couples and their families.”

“Now that legally married same-sex couples can access the critical federal protections so necessary in times of stress and crisis, it is important to ensure that every couple can make that personal choice of marriage,” said Lujan in a prepared statement. “Gay and lesbian couples make the same contributions and sacrifices that we all do, including paying taxes, owning business and caring for their families. It is time everyone is treated equally under the law.”

“We are extremely grateful to have Sens. Udall and Heinrich and Congressman Lujan onboard to support our work to win and defend marriage equality,” said campaign manager Robert Adams in a prepared statement. “Over 1,700 same-sex couples have already married in New Mexico, and that fundamental freedom belongs to everyone in the state.  New Mexico Unites for Marriage is committed to making that dream a reality.”

New Mexico Unites for Marriage is a coalition of state and national organizations, business, faith and civic leaders and everyday New Mexicans who support marriage equality.