Despite New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson’s support for the rights of gays and lesbians in his state, the New Mexico Senate finance committee voted  7-4 against taking the domestic partnership bill forward.

While not addressing marriage, the bill would grant the rights and responsibilities of a marriage to gay or straight couples. The bill did pass in the House last year, but failed in the Senate on Tuesday.

Activists in the state are hopeful for 2011.

“Realistically my sense is that it’s done for this year,” Sen. Peter Wirth, the bill’s sponsor, told the New Mexico Independent. “It’s gonna happen, it’s just a matter of when.”

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Olivia Stephens