By Gudrun Schultz
SANTA FE, New Mexico, January 19, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – New Mexico’s state legislature is considering a constitutional amendment to define marriage as only between a man and a woman, after a resolution was introduced Wednesday. Alamorgordo Rep. Gloria Vaughn, a Republican, proposed the measure, emphasizing that it would be in the best interest of children, Farmington Daily Times reported.
“I just feel that it’s the right thing to do, and maybe children would grow up with both parents and know who they are, and not come up against two ladies or two gentlemen,” she said.
The bill follows an earlier attempt to specifically ban homosexual marriage in New Mexico law, which Vaughn introduced in 2005. This time, she decided to pursue constitutional change which would grant permanent protection to traditional marriage in the state.
“Most of the advice I got from different people suggested I go Constitution. It’s a stronger law with teeth,” Vaughn said. “It’s tougher (to pass), but hopefully those that are for it will vote for it.”
The bill must pass both the state House and Senate with a majority of all members, and be signed by Governor Bill Richardson before it will go before voters.
Currently, same-sex marriage is not recognized in the state, under an unanimous 2004 ruling by the New Mexico Supreme Court after Sandoval County Clerk Virginia Dunlap issued marriage licenses to 66 same-sex couples.
Then-Attorney General Patricia Madrid declared the licenses were invalid, saying, “Until the laws are changed through the legislative process or declared unconstitutional by the judicial process, the statutes limit marriage in New Mexico to a man and a woman.”
If ratified, the measure will make New Mexico the 28th state to enshrine traditional marriage in the state constitution.
In June 2006, New Mexico was ranked by pro-homosexual groups as the most socially liberal state in the union, tied with New York.
See related LifeSiteNews coverage:
New Mexico County to Issue Same-Sex “Marriage” Licences
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/feb/04022008.html
New Mexico Supreme Court Rejects Bid to Hand Out More Homosexual “Marriage” Licenses
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/jul/04070806.html