Santa Fe Mayor Says Gay Marriage Legal in New Mexico

Confusion as state laws don't address it to either allow it or ban it

The Democratic mayor of Santa Fe is calling on New Mexico's county clerks to begin issuing licenses to same-sex couples, saying it was time that everyone – including his lesbian daughter – should be treated equally under the law in a state that does not ban gay marriage.

New Mexico is one of two states in the country that neither specifically allows nor explicitly bans gays and lesbians from getting married (the other is New Jersey).

Nor does it offer civil unions or domestic partnerships to same-sex couples, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.