 In August 2013, several counties began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples either on the initiative of the county clerk or under court order.On August 21, 2013, officials in Doña Ana County began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples at the courthouse in Las Cruces.The county clerk, Lynn Ellins, announced the change of policy, stating, "After careful review of New Mexico's laws it is clear that the state's marriage statutes are gender neutral and do not expressly prohibit Doña Ana County from issuing marriage licenses to same-gender couples.