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SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The New Mexico Supreme Court on Thursday threw out a county clerk's request to issue more marriage licenses to gay couples.
The court, in a one-page order without comment, unanimously denied Victoria Dunlap's request to lift a temporary restraining order that blocks her from handing out same-sex marriage licenses.
Dunlap, a clerk in Sandoval County, issued more than 60 same-sex marriage licenses in February — soon after San Francisco began marrying hundreds of gay couples. California's Supreme Court halted the weddings in March.
Dunlap stopped issuing the licenses when New Mexico's Attorney General Patricia Madrid declared gay marriages were not legal under state law.
But, Dunlap contends New Mexico's marriage law is not gender-specific.
"This decision is one the attorney general expected, and now the matter will be once again before the district court," said Caroline Buerkle, a Madrid spokeswoman.
Dunlap's lawyer did not immediately return a call seeking comment Thursday. Dunlap also was unavailable for comment, according to a deputy county clerk. | 
