For the past five years, Marshall Martinez has poured his heart and soul into Equality New Mexico. As our Executive Director, he’s been the driving force behind the organization's growth, strategy, and commitment to liberation for queer and trans New Mexicans. Under his leadership, EQNM has become more than a policy shop or a statewide nonprofit: It has become a home for LGBTQ advocacy, coalition-building, and bold political action.
This June, Marshall is stepping away from that work for a short but intentional sabbatical. He will return after Labor Day.
This time away is not a goodbye. (Like we could ever get Marshall to leave us alone!) It’s not a pause in EQNM’s momentum. It’s an intentional and deeply human decision that models our movement’s values. If we want a thriving future for LGBTQ people, we must be willing to build a culture that honors rest, reflection, and sustainability.
As Marshall shared: “I’m taking this time to recover from the stress of doing this work nonstop since the middle of the pandemic. I’m going to clear my head and reset my energy, and have space and time to think about the future of EQNM and the future of the movement.”
Leading By Example
Marshall’s sabbatical isn’t just a personal decision. It reflects a new policy at EQNM that allows full-time staff to take 90 days of paid leave after five years of service and after seven years for part-time employees. This kind of planning is rare in the nonprofit world, where burnout is often treated as a badge of honor. At EQNM, we know that caring for ourselves and each other is essential to the long game.
“We learned the hard way that leaders who are exhausted, traumatized, overwhelmed and spread too thin make bad decisions,” Marshall said. “We react out of fear, anger, or pain rather than with a rational, long-view of the movement. We also harm our staff and communities by becoming edgy, short-tempered, or inconsistent. This time away will help me re-ground myself and begin to think in a strategic and non-impulsive way again.”
As Marshall also points out, he comes from a generation of queer leaders shaped by grief, having watched mentors and elders taken too soon during the AIDS epidemic. Many of these movement leaders worked themselves to exhaustion for lack of a safety net. “One thing we learned was that the lack of self-care and the lack of a self-preservation mindset took too many of our leaders too early.”
Marshall’s Impact
Marshall’s absence will certainly be felt, but our organization is strong and prepared for this next season.
When Marshall joined EQNM, there was one full-time staff member. Today, there are three full-time staff and four part-time team members leading work that stretches across the entire state.
Our political engagement has also grown dramatically. Under Marshall’s leadership, EQNM has gone from endorsing a small handful of openly LGBTQ+ candidates for the State Legislature to supporting dozens of pro-LGBTQ+ candidates running for positions ranging from Governor to City Council with an 85% win rate.
We’ve expanded from a single contract lobbyist to a robust team of two policy staff and three legislative interns who participated actively in the most recent New Mexico legislative session.
EQNM’s early advocacy focused primarily on anti-discrimination policy. We have evolved into a multi-issue, intersectional force. We’re working on legislation and public education campaigns that address the criminal legal system, healthcare access, economic justice, and education policy as they affect Queer and Trans lives. EQNM has also launched a statewide LGBTQ Policy Summit, revived and grown our annual Resilience event, and celebrated our 30th Anniversary with a powerful and joyful gala.
We’re ready to build on this momentum in the years ahead.
As Marshall puts it: “Visioning for the future of the organization requires quiet time and an opportunity to let go of the day-to-day tasks and work.” His sabbatical will provide that time to reset and dream big, ensuring EQNM continues to grow in alignment with our values and the evolving needs of our communities.
Who’s in Charge Now?
From June through early September, the day-to-day leadership of EQNM will be in the very capable hands of Rudy Montoya and Nathan Saavedra. Rudy currently serves as our Brand & Marketing Manager, and Nathan is our Project Manager. Both have years of experience with EQNM and deep roots in movement work.
“Marshall’s decision to take a sabbatical is a testament to the values he’s always championed of sustainability, care, and visionary leadership,” says Rudy. “We’re so proud of him for modeling what it means to rest with intention. While we’ll miss him, the EQNM team is strong, steady, and ready to carry the work forward with heart and purpose. This moment is not a pause. It’s a continuation of the momentum Marshall helped build, and a chance for all of us to lead in new and collaborative ways.”
Rudy and Nathan will be co-directing the organization for the summer while continuing in their existing roles. For media inquiries, campaign strategy, or any pressing needs, Rudy and Nathan will be the point people. They are more than ready!
“The organization is in the best hands,” Marshall said. “They’ve been learning a lot in preparation. They are capable, grounded, and surrounded by an incredible board and community of supporters who will help steer the ship.”
It also happens to be a good time for this transition. As Marshall notes, “Municipal elections will not kick into high gear until after I return. This summer is one of slowly building, Pride celebration, and organizing in a non-stress-inducing way. Things will be just fine without me.”
A Movement That Lasts
As LGBTQ+ New Mexicans face intensifying threats, EQNM is prepared. Our board and staff are already looking ahead to the 2026 elections, when New Mexico will vote for Governor and all 70 State House seats.
These are critical years, but that’s precisely why we must be strategic and take care of each other for the long haul.
“Being burnt out doesn’t just affect me,” Marshall said. “It affects my colleagues. It impacts our team’s energy, our clarity, our ability to make thoughtful, long-term decisions. This time away is about coming back stronger for all of us.”
As a community, we can follow Marshall’s example. Rest is not something we earn by doing enough. It’s something we need in order to keep going. And if we want our leaders, organizers, and frontline advocates to be in this fight for decades to come, we have to build a culture that allows—and encourages—people to take a break.
We’ll miss Marshall this summer, but we admire him for taking this step. We know he’ll return in September with fresh eyes, renewed focus, and bold ideas for the future.
Until then, EQNM continues with joy, with power, and with deep appreciation for all that Marshall has built.