New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, a
Republican, reiterated her opposition to gay marriage following a
state Supreme Court ruling legalizing such unions in the state.
On Thursday, the state's highest court
declared “barring individuals from marrying and depriving them of
the rights, protections, and responsibilities of civil marriage
solely because of their sexual orientation violates the Equal
Protection Clause under Article II, Section 18 of the New Mexico
Constitution.”
(Related: New
Mexico: 17th
state to legalize gay marriage.)
Martinez said in statement that the
issue “should have been settled by a vote of the people. Instead,
the Supreme Court stepped in and rendered their decision.”
“As we move forward, I am hopeful
that we will not be divided, as we must come together to tackle very
pressing issues,” she added.
The New Mexico Conference of Catholic
Bishops also reacted to the ruling.
“The Bishops of New Mexico recognize
the New Mexico Supreme Court as the interpreter of the state
constitution,” the group said in a statement. “The Catholic
Church respects and loves the gay and lesbian members of our
community. We will continue to promote teaching of the biblical
definition of marriage to be that of one man and one woman.”