ACLU announces New Mexico lawsuit on same-sex marriage

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico has filed a lawsuit aimed at forcing state officials to recognized same-sex marriage under current New Mexico law.

The group announced Thursday that the lawsuit was filed in state district court on behalf of two lesbian couples who sought marriage licenses in Bernalillo County.

The announcement comes as local and state officials argue whether current New Mexico law allows county clerks to issue same-sex marriage licenses.

Santa Fe Mayor David Coss this week publically encouraged county clerks to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and said current law allows it.

But county clerks in Curry, Dona Ana and Santa Fe Counties say they won’t issue any until they get an opinion from state Attorney General Gary King.