Doña Ana County in New Mexico has made national news this week due to the issuance of same-sex marriage licenses despite no state law allowing it. A celebrant certified by the AHA’s Humanist Society is mentioned in this local news story about the issue.

LAS CRUCES >> Doña Ana County on Thursday wrapped up its second day of issuing same-sex marriage licenses, as some questioned what the decision means for the couples themselves and the larger debate about gay marriage within New Mexico.

“The bottom line is we’re not entirely clear who could actually challenge the Doña Ana County clerk’s decision,” said Peter Simonson, executive director for the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico. 

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Local artist Bob Diven, also a certified humanist clergyman through the American Humanist Association, was at the county building on Motel Boulevard offering to officiate for couples who wanted weddings. By 1 p.m., he’d conducted seven same-sex ceremonies and one marriage of a straight couple who indicated they’d been holding off on their own marriage until gay marriage was allowed, he said.

Diven said he felt moved to help out same-sex couples.

“If people find something that makes them happy, I just feel like, who has the right to deny them that?” he said. 

To read this entire El Paso Times story, click here.