Date: Sun, 11 Feb 1996 23:40:55 -0700
From: summers@Rt66.com (Bob Summersgill)
Subject: New Mexico Anti-Marriage Resolution moves backwards

The New Mexico Anti-Marriage Resolution (SJR-10) was returned to the Senate
Rules Committee by Senate Majority Leader Tom Rutherford.

The Anti-Marriage Resolution would create a Constitution Amendment
prohibiting same-sex marriage ceremonies (the state would, in theory, be
able to issue marriage licenses to Gay couples but a ceremony would be
illegal), and prohibit the recognition of same-sex marriages granted in
other states.

If approved by the Democratically controlled legislature, the resolution
would be put to the voters.

The Rules Committee had sent the Anti-Marriage Resolution out of the
committee without vote or hearing, simply calling it "germane." Sen.
Rutherford asked the Rules Committee to fully consider the bill before
passing it on to the Judiciary Committee which would hear it next.

The Rules Committee has not scheduled a hearing on the resolution. No other
action has been taken on the resolution.

The Legislative Session ends on Thursday, February 15 at noon. Any
legislation that has not been approved by both houses at that time dies,
and would have to be introduced in the next Legislative session, in January
of 1997.

The Anti-Marriage Resolution is not expected to be passed in this session.

Bob Summersgill, publisher of the New Mexico Rainbow,
The newspaper for the Lesbian and Gay communities of New Mexico.
summers@rt66.com
http://rt66.com/summers/rainbow.html