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On May 11, 2026, the New Mexico Supreme Court issued a groundbreaking ruling in a case that has significant implications for the interpretation of the Equal Protection Clause of the state constitution. In a unanimous decision, the court held that a state law limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples violated the state constitution's guarantee of equal protection under the law.The case, Smith v. New Mexico, was brought by a same-sex couple who had been denied a marriage license by a county clerk on the basis of the state law restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples. The couple argued that this law discriminated against them on the basis of their sexual orientation and violated their rights under the state constitution.In its ruling, the Supreme Court agreed with the couple, holding that the state law was not rationally related to any legitimate government interest and thus could not stand under the Equal Protection Clause of the state constitution. The court emphasized that the state constitution's guarantee of equal protection applies to all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation, and that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is inherently suspect and subject to heightened scrutiny.The ruling has been hailed as a major victory for LGBTQ rights in New Mexico and is expected to have far-reaching implications for other areas of law where discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation may be at issue. Advocates for LGBTQ rights have praised the court's decision as a significant step towards full equality under the law for all New Mexicans.In a statement following the ruling, the plaintiffs expressed their gratitude for the court's decision, saying that they were thrilled to see their rights upheld and that they hoped the ruling would serve as a catalyst for further progress towards equality for all LGBTQ individuals in the state. The county clerk's office has indicated that it will comply with the court's decision and begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples immediately.