New Mexico high court to hear gay marriage case

New Mexico’s highest court is set to consider a potentially precedent-setting case that could resolve whether gay marriage is legal in the state.

The state Supreme Court is to hear from lawyers next Wednesday, and it’s possible the justices could issue an immediate ruling.

At issue is whether a state district judge in Albuquerque was correct in declaring it unconstitutional to deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Gay marriage moved to the political front burner in August when the Dona Ana County clerk decided to grant marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. Seven other counties followed, several of them in response to court orders.

National Center for Lesbian Rights legal director Shannon Minter says the New Mexico case is part of growing national momentum for same-sex marriage.