News
Santa Fe begins issuing marriage licenses to gay couples
Dozens of same-sex couples hold impromptu mass wedding

Dozens of same-sex couples hold an impromptu mass same-sex wedding in Santa Fe (Photo courtesy of ProgressNowNM).
A county clerk in Santa Fe started issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on Friday, resulting in dozens of gay couples marrying in a mass wedding.
Santa Fe County Clerk Geraldine Salazar started issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on Friday afternoon. The first gay couple to receive a marriage license in the county was Liz Stefanics, a Santa Fe county commissioner, and her partner Linda Siegle, a longtime LGBT activist.
Afterwards, at least a dozen recipients of the county’s first licenses held an impromptu mass same-sex wedding in the chambers of the county commission just minutes after receiving their licenses. The couples were pronounced legally married at 3:51 pm.
On Thursday, District Judge Sarah Singleton issued the order for the county to issue the marriage licenses, according to the Associated Press, and was quoted as saying in the decision that “reading a sex or sexual orientation requirement into the laws of New Mexico violates the state constitution.” Singleton reportedly ordered the clerk to grant marriage licenses to gay couples or appear in court Sept. 26 to tell her why that shouldn’t happen.
But in a statement that was read to the Washington Blade by her secretary Jackie Roberson, Singleton clarified the decision was an alternative writ of mandamus and not a decision based on the merits. Apparently, the clerk chose to begin issuing licenses rather than respond to the petition.
“That alternative writ says to do what the petitioner asks or show cause on a specific date why the clerk should not to do that,” Singleton said through the proxy. “An alternative writ is merely a way of giving the respondent a specific time to come in and answer the petition. It does not represent a decision on the merits.”
Singleton’s decision was the result of a lawsuit filed by State Rep. Brian Egolf on behalf by two Santa Fe men. In a statement provided by Progress NOW NM, Salazar explains her decision to begin distributing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
“Now that Judge Singleton has ordered me to issue a license to Messrs. Hanna and Hudson on constitutional grounds, I intend to do so and to issue a license to any same-sex couple who desires one and are otherwise qualified,” Salazar said. “By complying with the judge’s order, we will be issuing licenses legally and will not continue to use limited county resources on further litigation.”
Pat Davis of ProgressNow New Mexico said in a statement the developments marks a historic development for New Mexico.
“After so many years of seeing these couples have their hopes raised, then dashed it is so rewarding to see progress finally coming,” Davis said. “Elected leaders with political courage stepped forward to do the right thing and we will be forever grateful. And no state could have done marriage equality better. What could be cooler than a mass gay wedding in Santa Fe to celebrate marriage equality?”
The clerk began distributing the licenses to gay couples two days after Doña Ana County Clerk Lynn Ellins began doing the same on his own accord. According to ProgressNOW NM, nearly 100 same-sex couples were married in the county by the start of the next day.
New Mexico Attorney General Gary King said he wouldn’t stop Dona Ana County from issuing marriage licenses for gay couples. He’s previously said he won’t defend New Mexico law against lawsuits seeking marriage equality because he believes that the current statute is unconstitutional. Republican state lawmakers have said they’d intervene to stop the same-sex marriages from occurring.
In the spring, the Santa Fe City Council approved a resolution stating marriage equality was already legal in New Mexico because of the gender-neutral construction of the marriage law after Santa Fe officials, including Mayor David Coss, first proposed the measure in March.
Hungary
New Hungarian prime minister takes office
Péter Magyar’s party defeated anti-LGBTQ Viktor Orbán last month
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar took office on Saturday.
Magyar’s center-right Tisza party on April 12 defeated then-Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz-KDNP coalition. Vice President JD Vance less than a week before the election traveled to Budapest, the Hungarian capital, and urged Hungarians to support Orbán.
Orbán had been in office since 2010. He and his government faced widespread criticism over its anti-LGBTQ crackdown.
The European Commission in 2022 sued Hungary, which is a member of the EU, over the country’s anti-LGBTQ propaganda law. The European Union’s top court, the EU Court of Justice, on April 21 struck down the statute.
The EU while Orbán was office withheld upwards of €35 billion ($41.26) in funds to Hungary in response to concerns over corruption, rule of law, and other issues.
Hungarian lawmakers in March 2025 passed a bill that banned Pride events and allowed authorities to use facial recognition technology to identify those who participate in them. MPs later amended the Hungarian constitution to ban public LGBTQ events.
Upwards of 100,000 people last June defied the ban and marched in Budapest’s annual Pride parade.
“Congratulations to [Péter Magyar] on becoming prime minister of Hungary,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on X.
“This Europe Day, our hearts are in Budapest,” she added. “The hope and promise of renewal is a powerful signal in these challenging times.”
“We have important work ahead of us,” noted von der Leyen. “For Hungary and for Europe, we are moving forward together.”
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Congratulations to Congresswoman Sarah McBride (D-Del.) on being honored with this year’s Stonewall Award from Whitman-Walker Health. Amy Nelson, senior director of Legal Services, said, “Congresswoman Sarah McBride is working to make healthcare accessible to all, and this award recognizes her support of healthcare as a human right. Our legal program supports families facing unprecedented challenges to stay healthy and safe – families that Congresswoman McBride champions with a deep understanding of the issues they face and the legislative expertise of how to support them.”
McBride, in a press release, said, “I am honored to accept this year’s Stonewall Award from Whitman-Walker Health — an organization that has spent 40 years doing vital work to ensure every person can access the dignity of care. In the wealthiest and most developed nation on earth, the ability to receive care should not be a matter of luck—it should be the law of the land. I am proud to be recognized as a partner in this work and to support Whitman-Walker Health in their mission to build a healthier society for all.”
Congratulations also to Wes Drummond who will join Clear Space Theatre Company in Rehoboth Beach, Del., as its third artistic director. Managing Director Joe Gfaller said, “This is an exciting moment of growth for Clear Space as we welcome Wes to join our remarkable team. I am confident he will be an excellent partner as we work with our entire staff, board, and committed team of volunteers, to ensure Clear Space can achieve its full potential in pursuit of our mission to unite and enrich our community through every production on stage, and every arts-based learning program we offer throughout our community.”
On accepting the position Drummond said, “I’m honored to join Clear Space Theatre Company as artistic director, and beyond excited for what we’re about to create together. Clear Space has established itself as a vital and vibrant part of the cultural life of coastal Delaware, and I feel incredibly fortunate to step into this next chapter alongside such a passionate and dedicated team. Rehoboth Beach is a place defined by creativity and community, and I look forward to listening, learning, and building meaningful relationships across the region in the months ahead. My vision is to help Clear Space continue to grow as a bold, forward-thinking, cultural force, that champions fearless storytelling.”

Drummond served in leadership roles at Duluth Playhouse in Duluth, Minn., from 2021 to 2026, including four years as executive director followed by one year as executive producing artistic director, guiding the organization through a period of significant transformation and stability in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a director, he has worked extensively in New York City, Chicago, and at regional theaters across the country, directing both musical theater and plays with a focus on storytelling that bridges classical works with contemporary perspectives. He has collaborated with leading figures in the industry, including Tony Award-winning director Matthew Warchus, and Tony-nominated director Michael Greif. He is an associate member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
Wes earned his MFA in directing, Penn State University, where he studied under Tony-nominated director, Susan H. Schulman.
Virginia
Va. Supreme Court invalidates Democrat-backed redistricting plan
Voters narrowly approved new congressional districts last month
The Virginia Supreme Court on Friday struck down a Democrat-backed redistricting plan that voters approved last month.
Ten of 11 of Virginia’s congressional districts favor Democrats in the plan that passed by a 51-48 vote margin in last month’s referendum.
The Human Rights Campaign PAC is among the groups that support it. The court by a 4-3 majority invalidated the referendum results.
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