We are a privileged organization. As such, we take responsibility for ensuring that the privilege we are able to access is distributed to those most affected in our community. Recently, our Board of Directors decided to define the primary "community" we serve as those most affected by injustice and violence, and we are proud and resolute in our commitment to put our resources where they are most needed.
Not only was my career on the line, but my personal life was put on hold as well. As a result of DADT, I feared dating and having a relationship, and I could not even entertain the notion of getting married, if I was ever lucky enough to meet someone special.
Albuquerque, NM—Equality New Mexico (EQNM), Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico (TGRCNM), ACLU of New Mexico (ACLU-NM), Southwest Women’s Law Center (SWLC), and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) applaud the introduction of the federal Equality Act, legislation introduced today in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives that protects against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Rep. Pearce is a co-sponsor of the First Amendment Defense Act (FADA), an inaccurately and misleadingly named piece of legislation introduced in U.S. Congress this month that would open the door to unprecedented taxpayer-funded discrimination against LGBT people, single mothers, and unmarried couples.
Santa Fe, NM – June 26, 2015 – Today, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a historic decision in favor of marriage equality, making it so that same-sex couples will soon have the freedom to marry and will enjoy equal respect for their marriages across America.
I am one of many marginalized voices in the LGBTQ community, and all of my intersected identities have informed and shaped how I navigate my Queer identity. My Queer identity isn’t a single checkbox, and I don’t live a single-issue life. This evening when I entered this room, I didn’t leave my Chican@ identity at the door – I walked in with my whole self and all of my intersected identities.
Andrea Quijada, Executive Director, Media Literacy Project:
"My questions are: 1) What exists within American culture that makes her think this is okay? (Because she did not get there alone); and, 2) Before I see/hear/read white folks point fingers at her, I encourage you to pause and ask yourself, "Where do I fit on the spectrum of this behavior of black co-optation AND why do I do it? How do my actions perpetuate racism when I do this?” (And, I’m not just talking to Iggy Azalea here, see Question 1)."
Domo Minaj (Dominic Lopez in the news) was fired from the Westside Albuquerque Smith's Grocery Store for wearing fake nails. In less than a working day, the local chapter of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union stepped up to defend Domo, and was able to get Domo's job back. Details on this as reported via social media below.
Full story on KRQE News here: http://krqe.com/2015/06/07/man-says-he-was-fired-for-wearing-fake-nails/
Albuquerque, NM – June 4, 2015 – This week, Freedom to Marry launched a bilingual ad campaign that will run in parts of Texas and Southern New Mexico. The ads highlight the fact that “we don’t turn our backs on family,” and that each LGTB individual is someone’s mother, daughter, sister, father, son, brother, friend, or family member.
Being a Queer Chicana growing up in Doña County, where marriage licenses were first issued to same sex couples in the state, I have seen how most of society—especially the Latino community—has continued to evolve when talking about marriage equality and LGBTQ rights. With the latest GALLUP poll showing that 72% of Latinos in the United States support marriage equality (third highest of any demographic in the U.S), I know that it is not any different here in Southern New Mexico.
Albuquerque, NM – June 1, 2015 – June is Pride Month, meaning there will be celebrations for the LGBTQ community across the state of New Mexico. Equality New Mexico will be in attendance at each celebration, and will have booths at which they offer education and outreach.
We’re excited to finally be on Tumblr!
About this blog: Today’s LGBT movement is in significant flux. It is also finally beginning to address the historic and systematic exclusion of POC and trans* experience and priorities from what has become a very wealthy, very privileged, and very white-cis-male-centered movement for legal equality.
Equality New Mexico was recently highlighted by the Equality Federation for its intersectional work with the reproductive justice movement.
A new website launched by Equality New Mexico includes an updated business directory and listing of LGBT-friendly businesses in New Mexico.
The site, eqnm.org, offers resources for individuals and small business owners wanting to connect with other businesses that serve the lesbian, gay, bi- or transgender (LGBT) community.
Albuquerque, NM – May 19, 2015 – Equality New Mexico is taking part in the national day of giving, “Give OUT Day” on Thursday, May 21st. This annual one-day giving event supports and promotes giving to LGBTQ causes and organizations.
"Es difícil porque tienen que navegar entre los dos identidades y a veces por miedo no saben a quien contactar para ayudarlos", menciono la coordinadora del sur para EQNM, Myra Llerenas."Y por eso nosotros estamos aquí para hacer un refugio en donde pueden venir".
Igualdad Nuevo México, o más bien conocido como EQNM ha ofrecido su ayuda a la comunidad con preferencias sexuales diferentes por más de 20 años. En Diciembre del 2014, inicio un programa que proveé ayuda para los indocumentados LGBTQ a obtener sus derechos, desde ayuda para la legalización de su estatus migratorio en los Estado Unidos hasta la promoción de la igualdad social, y la integración al mundo laboral.
Albuquerque, NM – May 13, 2015 – Equality New Mexico has created a one-stop shop for the LGBT community with a revamped website and an updated business directory, featuring LGBT-friendly businesses across the state of New Mexico. The site, eqnm.org, provides site visitors a wealth of resources for getting involved, finding allies in the business community, or getting connected with social and political issues facing the LGBT community.
While support for same sex marriage is at an all time high, and conversion therapy bans are being passed throughout the country (President Obama has recently called for a ban of the practice, and Exodus International recently closed their doors), the type of dialogue presented by Archbishop Sheehan is still harmful. He states, “we teach that we accept gay people with respect, compassion and sensitivity,” but such levels of respect cannot be accomplished while alienating the LGBT community and propagating the conversation that our natural inclinations and our way of expressing love within a relationship is sinful.
“There’s a lot of power in telling your story—finding your voice,” according to Myra LLerenas, Southern New Mexico Field Coordinator for Equality New Mexico, which is known as the civil rights organization for those identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
Llerenas was one of the presenters at a workshop held at the Center for Gender Equity at Western New Mexico University focused on the multiple challenges of being “undocumented and queer.” A first generation New Mexican who grew up and still lives in Las Cruces, she is a self-described advocate of collective social justice.