Johnson died on February 19, 2014, six months after he legally married Gonzales at the county clerk's office. That account paid for our mortgage, utilities, gym membership, car expenses.' We each put in the same amount every month. Gonzales says they 'shared everything,' adding, 'we had a joint checking account that paid for our daily expenses. While the couple had a ceremony in the late '90s, Johnson was concerned about what might happen to their assets if he died without being legally married to Gonzales. It left him weak, but he was determined.' The chemo took a lot out of him physically.
Gonzales tells Insider, 'Mark just had chemo a week or two before' - he had rectal cancer - 'so it was hard for him. Same-sex marriage was legalized statewide in New Mexico in December 2013 - and was legalized nationwide on Jby the Supreme Court - however, some local county clerks in New Mexico began issuing marriage licenses to LGBTQ+ couples as early as August 2013, arguing that New Mexico's definition of marriage made no mention of sex or gender. By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from InsiderĪs well as other partner offers and accept ourĪnthony Gonzales and Mark Johnson were married at the Bernalillo County Clerk's Office in Albuquerque, New Mexico, alongside more than 100 other LGBTQ+ couples, on August 27, 2013.
