NEW MEXICO: Plaintiff In Marriage Equality Lawsuit Dies Of Cancer At Age 44

One of the plaintiffs in the New Mexico marriage equality lawsuit currently before the state Supreme Court has died of cancer at the age of 44.

Jen and Angelique Neuman-Roper of Nambe were married in August during an impromptu ceremony in the lobby of the Christus St. Vincent Cancer Center in Santa Fe, the same day a judge granted their request and ordered the Santa Fe County clerk to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. They made their urgent request because Jen Neuman-Roper had Stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. They married again in October, this time in a more formal ceremony in Pojoaque attended by many family and friends. Upon her passing, Jen Neuman-Roper was the first person to be issued a New Mexico certificate of death that acknowledged a surviving same-sex spouse, according to a news release issued today by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico.

ACLU New Mexico, which is representing the six couples, has posted a remembrance on their website. An excerpt:

“We are deeply saddened by the news of Jen Neuman-Roper’s passing,” said ACLU-NM Executive Director Peter Simonson. “She was a beloved member of her community, a loving mother and wife, and a trail blazer for marriage equality in New Mexico. Her participation in the New Mexico freedom to marry case helped open the door for thousands of same-sex couples to celebrate their love and commitment in marriage here in our state. She will be missed.”

(Via JMG reader Matthew)