Las Cruces gay couple responds to Supreme Court same-sex marriage decision

A recent Supreme Court decision to not take cases from five states regarding gay marriage has paved the way for 30 states to legalize same-sex marriages.

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to take cases from several states that were hoping to be able to uphold their same-sex marriage bans, ruled unconstitutional by lower courts.

It appears there won’t be a nationwide resolution on the topic anytime soon,but the practice is quickly becoming institutionalized in New Mexico and a majority of the 50 states.

Paul Mach and Frank Belyan have been a couple for 33 years.

It wasn’t until last August that they were able to legalize their commitment to each other with a marriage license and ceremony in Las Cruces.

The two say they are proud of the progress states have made in allowing same-sex marriages that grant equal rights.

Some say the nonruling by the Supreme Court has kicked the debate can further down the road,while others say perhaps the Supreme Court wants states to be more involved in defining their own marriage laws.

ABC-7 got reaction from the newlyweds about the Supreme Court decision making national headlines:

“By not accepting the case(s), to me they were saying that the trend is going towards legalizing marriage all over the country. A lot of people were hoping that they would take (these cases) on this year. Maybe it’s best if it doesn’t come out for a couple of more years,” Mach said.

ABC-7 did reach out to numerous religious leaders from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces, the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and others, butmany of them were unavailable due to the holiday.

The Roman Catholic bishops of New Mexico, including Las Cruces Bishop Oscar Cantu, released the following statement regarding the New Mexico Supreme Court ruling in Dec. 2013.

“The bishops of New Mexico recognize the New Mexico Supreme Court as the interpreter of the State Constitution. The Catholic Church respects and loves the gay and lesbian members of our community. We will continue to promote Catholic teaching of the Biblical definition of marriage to be that of one man and one woman.”

Doa Ana County Clerk Lynn Ellins told ABC-7 he doesn’t believe any legal changes would affect past or future same-sex marriages in Doa Ana County.