Sharer v. Ellins

Case #:
Date Filed: 29 August 2013
Ruling Date: 19 December 2013

Description:

• Suit filed by filed by 7 NM state lawmakers (Senators Sharer and Neville, and Representatives Gallegos, Hall, Herrell, Roch, and Strickler) to stop Doña Ana County from issuing civil marriage licenses to same-gender couples.
• 3 September 2013, another 8 Republican lawmakers joined the lawsuit.
• 19 December 2013, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled in a unanimous decision that the state constitution requires that same-sex couples must be treated equally under the law and have the same fundamental right to marry as other couples.

Newton and Maria Thibodeau v. Los Alamos County Clerk Sharon Stover

Case #:
Date Filed: 29 August 2013
Ruling Date: 19 December 2013

Description:

• A lesbian couple sued after being denied a marriage license.
• 19 December 2013, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled in a unanimous decision that the state constitution requires that same-sex couples must be treated equally under the law and have the same fundamental right to marry as other couples.

Carolyn VanHousen and Gail Gering v. Sandoval County Clerk Eileen Garbagni

Case #:
Date Filed: 29 August 2013
Ruling Date: 19 December 2013

Description:

• A lesbian couple sued after being denied a marriage license.
• 19 December 2013, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled in a unanimous decision that the state constitution requires that same-sex couples must be treated equally under the law and have the same fundamental right to marry as other couples.

Stark v. Martinez

Case #:
Date Filed: 2013
Ruling Date: 28 August 2013

Description:

• 28 August 2013, New Mexico District Judge Jeff F. McElroy ordered Taos County Clerk Anna Martinez to start issuing same-sex marriage licenses or to appear to show cause why she could not. The clerk said she would not contest the order and would begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
• 19 December 2013, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled in a unanimous decision that the state constitution requires that same-sex couples must be treated equally under the law and have the same fundamental right to marry as other couples.

Hanna v. Salazar

Case #: D-101-CV-2013-1525
Date Filed: 6 June 2013
Ruling Date: 22 August 2013

Description:

• On June 6, 2013, Alexander Hanna and Yon Hudson, represented by Brian Egolf, Kate Ferlic and John Day, filed a lawsuit in district court against the Santa Fe County Clerk and the state attorney general for not allowing them to be issued a marriage license.
• 22 August 2013, New Mexico District Judge Sarah Singleton ordered Santa Fe County Clerk Geraldine Salazar to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples or show cause why the county should not comply.
• 19 December 2013, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled in a unanimous decision that the state constitution requires that same-sex couples must be treated equally under the law and have the same fundamental right to marry as other couples.

Griego v. Oliver

Case #: 34,306
Date Filed: 21 March 2013
Ruling Date: 19 December 2013

Description:

• Rose Griego, her partner, along with another lesbian couple, as represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and others, filed a lawsuit in State District Court in Albuquerque challenging the Bernalillo County clerk's refusal to issue them marriage licenses.
• 19 December 2013, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled in a unanimous decision that the state constitution requires that same-sex couples must be treated equally under the law and have the same fundamental right to marry as other couples.

Elane Photography v. Vanessa Willock

Case #: 06-12-20-0685
Date Filed: 2007
Ruling Date: 22 August 2013

Description:

• In 2006, Vanessa Willock attempted to hire Elane Photography in Albuquerque to photograph a commitment ceremony that she and her partner were planning. Elaine Huguenin, co-owner of Elane Photography, turned Willock away, refusing to provide services, claiming that doing so violates her Christian beliefs.
• the state Human Rights Commission found that the company was guilty of discrimination based on sexual orientation, in violation of the state’s public accommodation law.
• June 2012 the New Mexico Court of Appeals upheld the Commission’s finding.
• 22 August 2013 the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled that there is no right to violate the State's nondiscrimination law.