New Mexico's highest court says it isn't going to immediately decide whether gay marriage is legal in the state and the issue should be handled first by lower courts.
The state Supreme Court has denied requests by same-sex couples from Santa Fe, Albuquerque and other communities who asked the justices to declare gay marriage legal.
Two lawsuits were filed directly with the court to try to get a speedy decision, but the justices rejected them on Thursday and said the gay marriage issue could be pursued in a lower court "with a right to request expedited review."
The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, which brought one of the lawsuits, said Friday it planned to try to move a case through the courts as quickly as possible.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.