Same-sex couples residing in New Mexico may now legally marry in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Registry of Vital Records and Statistics last Thursday issued “a corrective notice to all Massachusetts city and town clerks authorizing them to allow same-sex couples from New Mexico to apply for marriage licenses,” according to Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD). Massachusetts forbids out-of-state same-sex couples to marry in the Commonwealth if their home state explicitly bans same-sex marriage. New Mexico is now the second state, after Rhode Island, where this was found not to be the case.
Equality New Mexico has more, including this warning:
New Mexican couples who go to Massachusetts to marry should realize that the decision is not just a political gesture, but rather is about taking on all the responsibilities, legal obligations, joys, and wonder of being married. When couples who marry in Massachusetts come home, many of their marriages will be respected to varying degrees, but many married couples will also experience discrimination. Some but not all businesses, the state, and others may refuse to honor these lawful marriages, along with the federal government. Couples must be prepared to live with a level of uncertainty while we continue our work to end marriage discrimination.
They also recommend you call the GLAD InfoLine and read their marriage publications (in the process of being updated in light of this news) before making any sudden marital moves.
Still, if you won’t be deterred, flights from Albuquerque to Boston on Orbitz.comstart at $901. Stay for a few days (there’s a three-day waiting period on the license) and enjoy the mild summer weather, the Museum of Fine Arts, our smokin’ (figuratively) Red Sox, or the renovated Children’s Museum. If you hurry, you can even make it for Family Week in P’Town.
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