Wedding march halts in N.M.

BERNALILLO, N.M. - Dozens of gay and lesbian couples arrived in this rural town Friday to get married after a county clerk announced she would grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples, but the offer was soon revoked.

The Sandoval County clerk's office granted licenses to 26 same-sex couples before New Mexico Attorney General Patricia Madrid issued a late afternoon opinion saying the licenses were "invalid under state law."

The clerk's office stopped issuing licenses and told newly wed couples their licenses were invalid. A crowd outside the office reacted with boos and shouts as a deputy clerk read the legal advice.

More than 60 couples had signed up for applications after county Clerk Victoria Dunlap decided to grant the licenses.

Dunlap said she made the decision after County Attorney David Mathews determined New Mexico law is unclear on the issue. He said state law defining marriage does not mention gender.

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