Marriage "defender" is marriage "offender"

Marriage "defender" is marriage "offender"

DFNM uncovers troubled marriage history of traditional marriage "defender"

ProgressNow launches campaign to call for Chavez to promote healthy relationships

Santa Fe, NM -- ProgressNow New Mexico is calling out State Representative David Chavez for his hypocritical approach to marriage and calling on loving committed couples to educate him on the meaning of "to love and to cherish."

Chavez recently introduced HJR22, the state's latest Defense of Marriage Act, in the state legislature.  This discriminatory "super-DOMA" redefines marriage in New Mexico as being between one man and one woman, and prohibits thousands of New Mexicans engaged in loving and committed relationships from having those relationships recognized.

But, the DemocracyForNewMexico.com blog has discovered that Chavez himself was served with an "Order of Protection From Domestic Abuse" and divorce papers in 2010 from his then-wife of 4 years.  

ProgressNow New Mexico is encouraging New Mexicans to send letters to Chavez calling on him to promote legislation that promotes loving healthy relationships instead of creating second-class ones.  The online effort, launched at ProgressNowNM is active now.

"If this is the type of marriage Representative Chavez is defending, New Mexico doesn't want it," says Patrick Davis, Executive Director of ProgressNow New Mexico.  "Ironically, the thousands of loving couples Chavez's ridiculous bill prevents from being married, could actually teach him something about the meaning of 'to love and to cherish'."

Today, ProgressNow NM is launching an effort calling on New Mexicans in loving committed relationships to share their own examples of love and support with Chavez and encourage him to devote his efforts to shoring up programs that build up strong relationships, like domestic violence eduation programs and victim services.

"Wouldn't it be great if Chavez would focus his family efforts at promoting programs that build up healthy families instead of tearing them down," Davis says.

Send Rep. David Chavez an email right here!