New Mexico Gov. Martinez's Gay Marriage Pledge Contradicts Inauguration Speech

New Mexico attorney general Gary King this week offered his office's opinion on out-of-state same-sex marriages: they should be considered valid. Unfortunately for those who agree, newly inaugurated Gov. Susana Martinez insists she'll fight any attempts at marriage equality, a proclamation that directly contradicts her past promises.

Yes, the culture war's going to heat up in New Mexico, and equality activists should pipe up to steer the debate in a progressive direction. Or, at the very least, to counter the state's increasingly powerful conservative movement.

"After review of the law in this area, it is our opinion that a same-sex marriage that is valid under the laws of the country or state where it was consummated would likewise be found valid in New Mexico," read the non-binding opinion from King's office.

And King himself insisted, "A comprehensive legal analysis by my office concludes that valid same-sex marriages in other states would likely be valid in New Mexico." Be that as it may, the report will surely inflame those who want to see marriage equality campaign defeated once and for all.

“I believe that the citizens of New Mexico, not only have a right, but have an obligation to define their own culture,” said state Senator William Sharer, who hopes to introduce a Defense of Marriage bill that would define New Mexico's marriage as being between a man and a woman. “Culture should not be defined by a judge or an attorney general. This is something that the citizens of New Mexico ought to have a right to vote on.”

For her part, Martinez, the state's first female governor and a favorite among Tea Party adherents, including Sarah Palin, promised to fight any marriage equality initiative, and her office released a statement saying, "Gov. Martinez made it clear during the campaign that she opposes same-sex marriage."

The statement came just three days after Martinez's inauguration speech, a speech in which she vowed to unite the whole of New Mexico.

"From this moment on, we must aspire together. Work together. Fight together. Triumph together. And today only marks the first day of our journey together," declared Martinez in Santa Fe's historic downtown plaza. "Not every New Mexican voted for me. But every New Mexican deserves and will receive my best efforts to protect and promote their interests," Gov. Martinez said.

Clearly the new governor didn't mean what she said.

If Gov. Martinez truly wants to bring New Mexicans together, she'll use her political capital not to agitate the culture war, but to remind citizens here that we're all in this proverbial boat together, and that every New Mexican -- and anyone who wants to move to New Mexico -- deserves equal rights.

Sadly, Martinez has made clear that such magical thinking has no place in the Land of Enchantment, and that she and her colleagues are prepared to launch an assault on same-sex marriage.

It's more important than ever, then, that equality activists across the country make their voices heard, and tell Gov. Martinez: anti-gay legislation and posturing has no place in this state, or anywhere else for that matter.

Photo credit: 77krc's Flickr