Group threatens lawsuit if New Mexico licenses aren't voided
A national conservative group has notified the Sandoval County, N.M., clerk of its intent to sue if she doesn't void same-sex marriage licenses issued in late February. The Alliance Defense Fund's local attorney, Paul Becht, notified county clerk Victoria Dunlap in a letter dated February 23. He said Dunlap's issuance of same-sex licenses "created serious harm" for the state and couples. "It is now incumbent upon you to revoke the illegal licenses and to further notify all individuals who received same that they are, in fact, of no legal effect," Becht wrote. "Failure to take immediate action will result in legal action to obtain a court order declaring the licenses null and void."
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Lambda launches campaign to dispel "activist judge" claims
On the same day as a U.S. Senate subcommittee hearing titled "Judicial Activism vs. Democracy," which will include a debate about a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund will launch a national campaign to challenge claims that so-called activist judges make it necessary to pass the amendment. Noting that many recent legal victories in favor of gay rights were decided by conservative judges, Lambda executive director Kevin Cathcart on Tuesday said it is necessary to educate lawmakers and the public about the role of the courts in ending discrimination. "Who are these so-called activist judges, and where are they?" Cathcart asked. He noted that Republican governors appointed six of the seven justices on the Massachusetts high court, which recently ruled that gay and lesbian couples have the right to marry, and that Republican presidents appointed four of the six U.S. Supreme Court justices, who voted to strike down Texas's law that criminalized gay sex. "The claim that 'activist judges' are behind these rulings for equality is nothing short of a fraud," he said. "Our Constitution requires judges to be fair-minded and independent, regardless of their political beliefs and sometimes in the face of strong political opposition."