Issue 51 Volume 41
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Seattle Gay News SEATTLE’S LGBT NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
New Mexico Supremes OK same-sex marriages
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
In a unanimous decision, New Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled on December 19 that Gay and Lesbian couples have a right to marry in the state. “We hold that the State of New Mexico is constitutionally required to allow same-gender cou-
bid or permit same-sex marriages, but marriage license application forms include spaces for “husband” and “wife.” The justices noted that many states previously banned interracial marriages as well. They said that, in order for the state to ban same-sex marriage, it would have to show that it had a substantial interest in preserving traditional
“We hold that the State of New Mexico is constitutionally required to allow same-gender couples to marry and must extend to them the rights, protections, and responsibilities that derive from civil marriage under New Mexico law.” marriage. Supporters of a ban argued that the state has an interest in supporting procreation, and same-sex couples cannot procreate, an argument that Washington’s Supreme Court used in denying marriage equality in 2006, in Andersen v. King County. New Mexico’s Supreme Court rejected that argument, however. see new mexico page 16
AP Photo / Russell Contreras
ples to marry and must extend to them the rights, protections, and responsibilities that derive from civil marriage under New Mexico law,” Justice Edward L. Chavez wrote in the decision. Eight counties in New Mexico had already been issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, but others had declined to do so. Officials of all 33 of the state’s counties jointly petitioned the state’s highest court to settle the issue. State law does not explicitly for-
Gail Stockman (l) and Beth Black prepare to marry at a massive wedding in Albuquerque, New Mexico in August.
Catholic school vice Take that, Russia! principal fired for U.S. Sochi delegation includes LGBT athletes same-sex marriage
see catholic page 4
see olympics page 8
courtesy be! magazine
decision.” A letter sent to students says that marrying a man “violated his employment contract.” The students, however, did not feel the same way as the Archdiocese and an amazing thing happened. As word spread throughout Eastside Catholic High School, students took their protest to social
In what is widely being interpreted as a deliberate snub to Russian President Vladimir Putin, the White House announced that the official U.S. delegation to the Sochi Olympics will include two openly Lesbian athletes. Tennis legend Billy Jean King, figure-skating gold medalist Brian Boitano, and two-time Olympic medalist in ice hockey Caitlin Cahow, will be among the dignitaries representing the U.S. at the Olympics opening ceremonies on February 7, 2014. While ceremonial delegations of this kind are usually headed by heads of state or their deputies, the U.S. delegation will be led by former Secretary of Homeland Security and current President of the University of California Janet Napolitano. (Vice President Joe Biden led the U.S. delegation to the Vancouver Olympics in 2010, and First Lady Michelle Obama headed the delegation to London in 2012.) National Security Council spokesperson Caitlin Hayden said that the President’s schedule will not allow him to attend the games.
Students at Eastside Catholic and neighboring Catholic schools have begun organizing sit-ins in protest to the Seattle Archdiocese.
by Shaun Knittel SGN Associate Editor Eastside Catholic High School in Sammamish fired Vice Principal Mark Zmuda by forcing him to resign because he married a man over the summer. The Archdiocese of Seattle ordered the firing of Mr. Zmuda and a school spokeswoman, Sister Mary Tracy told KING 5 “a church decision is not a school
chip somerville / getty images
by Mike Andrew SGN Staff Writer
President Barack Obama awarded Bille Jean King the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009.