DAILY LOBO new mexico
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The Independent Student Voice of UNM since 1895
thursday October 24, 2013
State court deliberates on same-sex marriage by Ardee Napolitano and Chloe Henson news@dailylobo.com @ArdeeTheJourno, @ChloeHenson5
Santa Fe — The first round of official arguments regarding the statewide legalization of same-sex marriage centered on the ability of married couples to produce a child. Wednesday morning, New Mexico’s Supreme Court chambers were the battleground for lawyers from various parties debating whether same-sex marriage should be legalized around the state. Those who supported its legalization emphasized that making marriage gender-specific is discrimination. In return, those against legalization argued that the primary social purpose of marriage is procreation, and that same-sex marriages would not fulfill that. But the Supreme Court did not issue an official ruling after the twohour skirmish. James Campbell, the Scottsdalebased lawyer from the Christian law group Alliance Defending Freedom who represented the Legislature in the debates, said his side is fighting the passage of same-sex marriage to preserve a family’s social purpose. “What was before the court today was whether to redefine the fundamental meaning of marriage, and that’s an essential social policy question,” he said. “The people should decide through their elected officials for themselves. The future of marriage is an important question for the people to decide because it impacts their lives and how their society functions.” Wednesday’s court session was a result of the state’s Second Judicial District Court deeming same-sex marriage constitutional in late August, which led the Bernalillo County Clerk to issue licenses to same-sex residents of the county. Bernalillo became the second county in New Mexico to do so with legal backing.
Ruby Santos / Daily Lobo Jae Gibson, left, also known as Agu, attends the viewing of the New Mexico Supreme Court hearing on same-sex marriage at the Inn of the Governors in Santa Fe Wednesday morning. The New Mexico Supreme Court Justices have yet to reach a decision regarding the legality of same-sex marriage in the state. Because of inconsistencies around the state, New Mexico’s 41 county clerks agreed to bring the case to the Supreme Court for a statewide judicial verdict. So far, eight county clerks have issued same-sex marriage
licenses since Doña Ana became the first in early August. Campbell said his team is not arguing that kids who grow up without biological parents do not succeed in life. He said he expressed his views
on the procreation aspect of marriage only in response to the five Supreme Court justices’ questions. Still, he reiterated that the main societal role of marriage is procreation. “The focus of our argument here is
that is there a rational reason to distinguish between opposite-sex couples and same-sex couples for the purpose of marriage,” he said. “As we looked at
see Supreme Court PAGE 5
Santa Fe’s faithful debate morals of marriage by Ardee Napolitano news@dailylobo.com @ArdeeTheJourno
Sergio Jiménez / Daily Lobo Brother Micah preaches about what he said were the evils of homosexuality outside the SUB on Wednesday. Religious groups continue to have differing opinions on the legalization of same-sex marriage.
Inside the
Daily Lobo volume 118
issue 47
Spread of equality see Page 2
While arguments about the statewide legalization of same-sex marriage raged inside the New Mexico Supreme Court chambers Tuesday, religious groups proceeded to field their various views outside. Father Duncan Lanum, director of the St. Thomas the Apostle Anglican Church in Santa Fe, said the court should dismiss same-sex marriages because it is against the Bible’s teachings. “I think it’s a bad thing,” he said. “I know there can be two loving people regardless of sexual orientation … but I believe that God’s word should control absolutely. A man shall not lie with a man; a woman should not lie with a woman. That’s sinful and evil,
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Counties issuing licenses to same-sex couples under court order (Bernalillo County, Grant County, Los Alamos County, Santa Fe County, and Taos County) Counties issuing licenses to same-sex couples on their clerks' own initiative (Doña Ana County, San Miguel County and Valencia County)
see Page 8
Counties which have not issued licenses to same-sex couples or been subject to court order (all others)
and therefore to put their stamp of approval to this being a legal relationship is putting their stamp of approval on sodomy.” Lanum, who served as a lawyer for 25 years before entering the ministry, said he believes marriage is not simply a social institution for procreation. Still, he said married couples should be able to have kids, and that this aspect should counter same-sex marriage in the state. “I’m not saying that every single marriage should have to create a child,” he said. “But I do believe that God created us so that we would procreate. That should be considered a part of marriage.” And despite the foundational American concept of the separation of church and state, Lanum said he believes God’s word should drive the Supreme Court’s decision on the matter. “Many of our laws are based
on religious foundations,” he said. “We say, ‘Thou shalt not steal.’ Why should we arrest somebody for stealing except for the basis that that would be God’s word?” But the Rev. Brandon Johnson, a pastor at the United Church of Santa Fe, said he has been officiating same-sex wedding ceremonies since Santa Fe became the first county in the state to legally issue same-sex marriage licenses in August. God accepts same-sex marriages, Johnson said. “I think it represents the best about God’s love and inclusive character,” he said. “I can see the love between many of those couples. I affirm that. I believe God affirms that.” Johnson said procreation should not be the basis of the court’s ruling
see Religion PAGE 3
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