NM Clerk Ordered to Give Gay Marriage Licenses

Just two days after a New Mexico county clerk decided to start issuing gay marriage licenses, a district judge has ordered a clerk in another county to do the same.

Rep. Brian Egolf, a lawyer handling a lawsuit by two Santa Fe men, said Friday that Judge Sarah Singleton's order represents the first time a New Mexico judge has ruled that gay couples can be married.

The order issued late Thursday mandates that Santa Fe County Clerk Geraldine Salazar issue the marriage licenses or appear in court to tell the judge why that shouldn't happen.

Salazar didn't immediately return a telephone call from The Associated Press.

Around 90 same-sex couples have received marriage licenses this week since the Dona Ana County clerk decided on his own to grant them.