World AIDS Day, Liberation, and Increased Attacks on LGBTQ People.
Today is World AIDS Day, a day we set aside every year to honor those whose lives were taken by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and hopefully recommit ourselves to the work of ending this disease.
So why would I sit down to write about World AIDS Day, Liberation, and the increased and ongoing attacks against LGBTQ people all at once? Well, because the three are not inseparable. From the Denver Principles and “Stop Killing Us” demands of the mid-80s to the current movement for better access to PrEP and PEP, Treatment as Prevention, and still fighting for honest, authentic Sexuality Education - HIV/AIDS activism has always been about liberation.
Activists fighting for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention have always been fighting for bodily autonomy. And Bodily Autonomy is Liberation.
I’m not talking about the basic “it’s my body, my choice” framework of the past. I am talking about Bodily Autonomy as the ability, without political or policy restrictions, without shame or stigma, without cultural or societal expectations - to make all of the decisions about what we do with our bodies, how we experience them, how we live in them, and the genuinely accessible ability to care for and heal them when needed. This is our liberation, the liberation we are fighting for every day.
It is abundantly clear to me that we at EQNM, and we as Queer and Trans people owe so many of our victories to the work of these liberation fighters from the early AIDS epidemic. Demands for universal health care and the original call for marriage equality top the list. Still, it is a long list of successes in culture, policy shifts, and unfinished business.
I recently told a journalist on the record that I believe we are living in the most dangerous time for LGBTQ people since the beginning of the “modern LGBTQ Rights Movement.” At the onset of the epidemic, “GRIDS,” “Gay Cancer,” etc., were used to stoke the flames of hatred, fear, and violence against LGBTQ people. Violence against gay men especially was justified by the perpetrators, with the idea that they were “saving” their communities from the disease “We” were spreading. With hateful, bigoted, right-wing Pastors, Elected Officials, and even Pop Culture “Icons” blaming Gay people for this disease, we cannot be surprised by the increase in violence against LGBTQ people in the 80s. Just as we cannot claim shock or surprise when armed people enter Queer spaces during a drag show and murder our siblings in cold blood after hearing countless claims that we are abusing and grooming children - simply by giving them an opportunity to see fabulousness, fun, and joy in a setting where gender rules are bent or broken.
And so again, in this nation, we see the hateful rhetoric and attacks on us, bearing themselves out in physical manifestations of violence. I believe strongly in the Free Speech concept, and we know, especially as LGBTQ people, that words lead to actions, and those actions are often dangerous and misguided.
So what, then, are we indeed called to do on this World AIDS Day? How do we celebrate the victories, honor the victims and survivors, find the resilience to keep fighting for our liberation, and manage to eat, breathe, drink, and sleep?
With the heaviness of this World AIDS Day sitting on my heart and mind, I find myself converting anger and frustration into productive energy to move forward in this fight for liberation. I find myself breathing and eating in the spaces of grieving - because, like so many New Mexicans, what is grief if not shared over a meal with family and friends? And I make sense of the confusion by celebrating the victories with salt grains of the not-yet-won. I refuse to say lost. Nothing is truly lost just yet; there is time, there is work, and there is hope.
We have made great strides in achieving healthcare, treatment, and prevention mechanisms that limit the number of us dying of HIV/AIDS in 2022. We live in a state and nation that (currently, anyway) does not criminalize our sexual relationships and is on track to ensure the loving, long-term committed relationships we are in are continuously recognized moving forward. We must constantly remind our communities, siblings, neighbors, and friends that we are not harming children, we do not have a “radical gay-genda,” and that abortion care and gender-affirming medical care are healthcare and healthcare is a human right-not a crime.
Our fight is one for liberation - Bodily Autonomy in the truest sense. We owe it to those who died of AIDS and those living with the disease today to keep fighting for liberation for us all. So today, take a moment to grieve and remember, spend some time celebrating and rejoicing, and center yourself - for the work of the afternoon.
Employment type: Part-Time (20hrs/wk)
Salary Range: $17/Hr
POSITION: Community Organizer
RESPONSIBLE TO: Executive Director
SUMMARY: Part-time Community Organizer focused on building community, movement, and political power in the NM LGBTQ community statewide through relationship building and mobilization.
Job Explanation: Equality New Mexico is a statewide LGBTQ political advocacy, public education, and movement-building organization. We have been working to achieve LGBTQ liberation in New Mexico for 29 years, and are setting the stage for our second 30 years. We are working to rebuild a community-driven movement to shift policy and systems in New Mexico, by including and centering the voices of Queer and Trans New Mexicans. Our Community Organizer will be critical in this process, meeting, recruiting, training, and mobilizing members to support and lead the work of EQNM at the State, Local, and School Board levels.
This position is responsible for:
Communicating with our members regularly via email, phone, text, and in person.
Recruiting activists and volunteers to take actions on behalf of EQNM, including phone banking, door-to-door canvassing, text banking, and attending in-person events for political action.
Maintaining our membership database (with support from volunteers and other staff.)
One-on-one meetings with potential volunteers and leaders, recruiting for volunteer activities, and turnout to events.
The Organizer may travel around the state occasionally, but it will not be a significant portion of the job.
Required Skills, Competencies & Experience:
Ability to develop public relationships with new people not yet engaged in organizing or movement work
Move people into public life in order to impact policy decisions (training will be provided)
No previous organizing experience is needed just have a desire to learn and be open to growth and development
Ability to connect the dots between people, organizations, and struggles for justice through strong communication skills (both written and verbal)
Values rigor and a desire to not just get things done, but get things done well.
Who should apply?
You should be eager to participate in the larger movement for Queer and Trans liberation in New Mexico. You should be excited to learn new skills, eager to perfect the ones you have developed, open to feedback, and proactively seek new tips, tricks, and best practices. You like meeting new people, enjoy getting to know them, and feel compelled to involve the people around you in the movement for action and change in our communities. You are proficient in the use of technology and social media, but you understand that activism and political power isn’t built entirely online. You find yourself hearing peers and friends talking about what's going on around us, and thinking about the ways they could be changed. You don’t seek to be the face of every solution, but you are always looking for ways to help others become the solution. The ideal candidate will meet most of these requirements. However, if you are committed to protecting LGBTQ New Mexicans and care about elections, and want to learn how to be an organizer, please apply!
We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. All interested individuals, especially people of color, women, persons with disabilities, and persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, or intersex are encouraged to apply.
WE ARE HIRING: EQNM SEEKS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
POSITION: Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director
RESPONSIBLE TO: Executive Director
To Apply: Email Resume to Marshall@eqnm.org *and* Info@eqnm.org
SUMMARY: Assists the Executive Director and Board of Directors in managing the business of the agency. This position is responsible for all support functions, specifically assisting the Executive Director with travel arrangements, administrative work, and special projects. This is a remote position and will require a stable reliable internet connection, regular access to a phone, and a functioning computer(laptop or desktop) If you don’t have these things but are interested please apply anyway! The position is Hourly, Part-Time. (roughly 20 hours per week, $17/HR)
QUALIFICATIONS: You are a tech-savvy, discrete, trustworthy, and highly organized person with a proven track record of tracking and staying on top of tasks. You have 1 year of experience managing logistical and administrative projects through completion. Multitasking is second nature to you, and you can work under pressure, juggle competing priorities, and meet deadlines without sacrificing quality. You have a demonstrated ability to adapt to change, learn new things, and are open to feedback. You are detail-oriented with the ability to notice and fix errors that others might overlook. You are comfortable interacting with people in high-level positions daily and can attend meetings outside business hours. You have excellent verbal and written communication skills and abilities. You are someone who can see 5 steps ahead of what might be needed and plans ahead. You are a person who is comfortable using social media platforms, google drive/documents/sheets, managing and staying in control of multiple email accounts, and the ability to learn new software systems with training.
The ideal candidate will meet most of these requirements. However, if you are committed to LGBTQ Liberation and care about details, systems, and being the support person who gets the work done, please apply!
We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. All interested individuals, especially people of color, women, persons with disabilities and persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary or intersex are encouraged to apply.
Key Approaches to the Work:
Organized and detail-oriented: Your default mode is exceptionally organized. You create and maintain strong systems that create clarity and efficiency. You can find information quickly and meet needs proactively and intuitively. You have an eye for detail and a high bar for accuracy. Despite sometimes frequent interruptions in your day, you can regain focus and maintain accuracy, reprioritize when necessary, and deliver exceptional service.
Effective Communicator: A key part of your job is to make things that oftentimes feel complicated for others seem clear and manageable. You are an excellent communicator, who can explain complex information in clear and understandable terms. You have the skills to communicate via writing or verbally (through various modes), including giving presentations to large groups. You maintain high standards of confidentiality and practice ethical communication. You feel comfortable asking for clear direction on what is confidential and what is “need-to-know” information that's been given to you.
Proactive problem-solver: You are a self-starter who doesn’t need to be told to take action on responsibilities that you hold. You see ways that systems can be improved, and you suggest them without being asked. You can be given a project and run with it. When opportunities exist, you identify them and propose solutions. You’re known for being action-oriented and making everything they touch better.
Inclusion and Equity Champion: You deeply value inclusion and actively contribute to a more equitable and inclusive organization. You are reflective and understand how your perspective is shaped and influenced by your identity. You accept responsibility for your own behavior and action in upholding an equitable and inclusive workplace.
We wanted to give a huge thank you to everyone who showed out for our CHER the Movement event! Thanks to you, our event was totally sold out—so not only did we have a full house of fun and community, but we also more than doubled our fundraising goal! The drag performances were amazing, the auction items were hot, and the sense of love and community was absolutely palpable.
Elected officials who attended included Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, Probate Judge Cristy Carbόn-Gaul, Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard, Congresswoman Stansbury, and a whole host of state representatives, including Representatives Egolf, Herndon, Dixon, and Thomson, and Senators Hamblen, Jaramillo, Pope, and Stefanics. What a list! We are so grateful that so many New Mexico officials came to support and interact with the state’s LGBTQ community.
Thank you once again to those of you who came out to have fun with us while also serving your community. It was a fantastic time, and the funds we raised make us better equipped for the fight for queer and trans liberation. This is our movement!
Democratic state Representative Roger Montoya was recently denied endorsement from Planned Parenthood because he now supports forced parental notification of abortion. In the year that the Supreme Court is planning to overturn Roe v. Wade, attacking Planned Parenthood—an organization that has been dedicated to providing safe, accessible, life-saving abortion care to our state—undermines the values that we, as New Mexicans, hold true. When Rep. Montoya refused to even apply for an endorsement from Equality New Mexico, he made clear that this is also an attack on organizations like ours, which work to uplift and fight for these truly New Mexican values. A Majority of New Mexicans agree each of us can hold our own moral views on abortion and still trust pregnant people to make this decision for themselves.
There is no denying the direct connection between this policy, undermining bodily autonomy, and the work that EQNM is doing to protect trans youth from the increasing attacks that we have seen across the country. Everyone deserves to be in control of their own bodies, and this right extends to young pregnant people, too. If an elected policymaker doesn’t support bodily autonomy for young pregnant people, we can assume they also don’t support it for young LGBTQ people.
Rep. Montoya is an openly gay man who was endorsed by Equality New Mexico in 2020, and we cannot deny the historic moment his first election created for our communities. But now, he’s endangering the movement for LGBTQ liberation. At EQNM, we know that representation matters—but it is not enough. We need leaders who align with our values and will fight for us, not against us. No matter their identity or political alignment, we need leaders who won’t work against the hardworking advocacy organizations who are fighting to uphold our core beliefs as New Mexicans. And we certainly don’t need representatives who attack us for fighting for our communities.
As the fights for body autonomy play out in the future, we hope that people like Representative Montoya understand the necessity for coalition work. None of us can fight for liberation alone, because liberation does not belong to just one community. It’s times like these that it is crucial to remember, it’s all of us or none of us.
This blog post was supposed to announce the launching of our individual tickets for the big event on June 4. (We're still doing that below, don't skip it.) But with the news that broke last night, I had to make some adjustments.
Last night, Politico broke the story that a Supreme Court decision had been leaked before it was finalized. The headline says it all: The Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. It is important to note this is NOT a final decision, and for now, abortion is still legal in all 50 states (to some extent, anyway.)
Many of us were preparing for this for months, years even. But If I'm being honest, even though I've worked in the abortion rights movement for years, I hadn't fully processed this could be real. Now here I sit, trying to understand it.
If this decision to fully overturn Roe is adopted, 26 states are likely to make abortion illegal. This is not hyperbole, and it is not a drill. And as with the realities of Pre-Roe, the burden will fall hardest on Black and Brown people who are able to get pregnant. We have evidence to prove this: after the Hyde Amendment (prohibiting Medicaid funding for abortion) went into effect, a Latina woman in Texas was the first documented case of "underground" abortions causing death. Because Black and Brown people are already facing the most impact from multiple systems, they will undoubtedly be the first to be prosecuted in these states for even having a miscarriage. That is just one of the many realities we are about to enter, and we have to be clear about the stakes.
And let's be clear, the opponents of abortion access will not stop with Roe. They don't like us as queer and trans people existing with pride. At risk next are the anti-sodomy laws that SCOTUS overturned, and then dismantling marriage equality—all decisions the Court made under the precedent set by Roe. We have a lot to lose.
I am an organizer by training and trade, and so normally this is where I would present a plan of action. A list of steps we must take, the things we have to do to fight back—and we will. But for today, I am asking our supporters, our members, and our friends to just allow space for processing. Let us feel the heaviness of this moment, and let us take care of ourselves. This election will be critical for bodily autonomy. And we will write soon to talk about what we have to do. But for now, we are allowed to yell and scream, cry and sleep, and care for ourselves through the immense weight of this decision. Tomorrow there will be work to do. Today, the work is caring for ourselves so we can fight tomorrow.
CHER the Movement
Tickets are on sale now!
While the news is heavy, we MUST find time for joy, and let's be real—we still have to keep funding our movement work!
Today you can buy your individual tickets for our big event! The main event is June 4, 12-3pm.
Tickets get you into the event to catch the show, bid on silent auction items, and have great cocktails of course!
The Ticket+ gets you into the main event, plus some EQNM CHER the Movement SWAG.
VIP Tickets get you into the VIP Brunch at 11am, plus all the rest (and you get your own line at the bar to ensure speedier service during the show!).
May 1st is International Workers’ Day! To celebrate, we wanted to highlight Michaela Gallegos from the New Mexico Working Families Party (NMWFP). This is the second installment of EQNM’s Intersectionality Series; you can read more about why we’re doing this series and see our first installment with ProgressNow New Mexico here.
NMWFP is building a multiracial, feminist, multigenerational political home for the working class that fights for the world we deserve to live in. They work to create collective power for our communities and those who have historically been left out of the political process—and LGBTQ New Mexicans are no stranger to that.
NMWFP values people over corporations and works to elect progressive champions that change people’s lives and make government work for everyday people. Like EQNM, NMWFP is working to break down the structural barriers that limit New Mexicans’ self-determination and ability to thrive—our government should work for the people, not against us.
When asked what changes NMWFP would like to see, Michaela said, “We want a nation where everyone thrives and a better future for all. This includes quality jobs; access to healthcare, reproductive healthcare, and mental healthcare; immigration reform; criminal justice reform; healthy food; clean water and air; living wages; housing; paid sick leave; quality and affordable education from birth onwards; and a say in how our government works. We want to protect and expand voting rights. We want equity and equality.” These goals would improve live for all New Mexicans, including those of us who are queer and trans.
NMWFP’s current top policy priorities include democracy reform, electing working families champions from the communities they seek to represent, implementing the statewide paid sick leave law, climate justice legislation and advocacy, and passing the early childhood education ballot initiative.
When asked about her and NMWFP’s activism, Michaela said, “Our work is intersectional. We believe that no matter where we come from, who we love, or what our color, most of us want the same things. Everyone deserves to thrive, and we work on core issues that impact our daily lives, like living wages, access to healthcare, and safe communities through criminal justice reform.”
Here at EQNM, we’re firm believers that every LGBTQ person deserves a living wage and equal opportunity for advancement in the Land of Enchantment. Michaela agrees: “As a parent of a queer child, I am deeply invested in protecting and expanding my child’s rights and opportunities.” She also mentions how NMWFP works in coalition with LGBTQ organizations like us, and that “members of WFP’s national committee, senior leadership team, and staff are queer and/or nonbinary, and their lived experiences inform WFP’s policy work at the local, state, and national levels.”
When asked her favorite thing about New Mexico, Michaela said, “I love the sense of community in New Mexico and how everyone can be ‘family’. I missed that sense of belonging when I lived in another state.” And it’s clear that NMWFP is working to improve life for those communities. To learn more about Michaela, watch our interview with her here!
Want to get involved with NMWFP? Text NMWFP to 30403, or sign the WFP People’s Charter here!
Primaries are coming up soon, so it’s time for EQNM to release our endorsements! To learn more about how we endorse our candidates, you can read this blog post. The bottom line is that we work to elect candidates who will stand up daily for queer and trans New Mexicans, without fail. We know that LGBTQ representation matters, but it isn’t enough—that's why we chose these candidates who have proven track records of being in the fight for LGBTQ liberation.
Our Equality Champions:
State Auditor: Zack Quintero
Attorney General: Brian Colón
State Representative District 19: Janelle Anyanonu
State Representative District 42: Kristina Ortez
State Representative District 46: Andrea Romero
Our Endorsed Candidates:
Bernalillo County Sheriff: John Allen
State Representative District 17: Darrell Deaguerro
State Representative District 26: Eleanor Chavez
State Representative District 38: Tara Jaramillo
State Representative District 39: Karen Whitlock
State Representative District 70: Anita Gonzales
State Treasurer: Heather Benavidez
State Representative District 41: Susan Hererra
With the Supreme Court set to undermine bodily autonomy this summer over the upcoming Roe v. Wade decision, it is more critical than ever that we elect these state and local leaders who will stand up for New Mexicans. We deserve to be in control of our own bodies, and we must protect our ability to make decisions about our bodies, our lives, and our destinies.
Additionally, with increasing attacks on trans young people across the nation, our state needs reliable champions and allies who will work to ensure trans New Mexicans are safe. Trans people deserve to live without fear of discrimination, and we believe these endorsements will join us in breaking down the barriers that limit trans folks’ ability to thrive.
In New Mexico, our values are those of affirmation, acceptance, justice, and liberation. We will be counting on these leaders to help us live those values in policy, every day.
Do you want to help us elect these candidates and champions who will join us in the fight for LGBTQ liberation? Click here to sign up for volunteering updates, or donate to our cause here.
And don’t forget that New Mexico now has same-day voter registration—here’s more info about how to register AND vote at the same time!
Let’s work together for a better future for queer and trans New Mexicans!
Monet Silva, Chair
EQNM Endorsement Committee
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.
At EQNM, we believe that every LGBTQ person deserves to live without fear of discrimination, including in the workplace. Queer and trans people deserve equal opportunity for advancement in the Land of Enchantment.
A helpful partner has given us a resource to share with you detailing how to identify discrimination at work and how to file a workplace discrimination claim. Read this resource below!
Steps LGBTQ+ Workers Can Take If They Are Experiencing Discrimination in the Workplace
Even though LGBTQ+ workers are protected by the Federal Civil Rights Act, nearly 1 in 10 workers who are LGBTQ+ say that they have experienced discrimination and harassment at work. And that number is likely higher because so many people don’t report the discrimination they experience and instead just move on to other jobs. But you don’t have to put up with that discrimination and harassment. You can fight back and hold your employer accountable for violating your civil rights.
Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights act made it illegal for employers to discriminate against employees because of their race, color, sex, religion, or place of birth. The Supreme Court extended those protections to include gender, identity, and orientation as well. If you have experienced discrimination at work you can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal agency that investigates Civil Rights Act violations.
The EEOC also works with 44 states to make sure that employers who discriminate get investigated. When a complaint is filed against any employer in those states the EEOC will send all the complaint information to the state labor board so that the state can investigate the company too.
Examples Of Workplace Discrimination
Discrimination can be hidden or it can be very obvious. Some common kinds of discrimination that LGBTQ+ people face include:
Not Getting a Raise Or Promotion — If you were scheduled for a raise or a promotion and your work performance has been good but suddenly you are receiving warnings and writeups for mistakes so that you don’t get your raise or promotion that’s discrimination.
Slurs, Epithets, or Discriminatory “Jokes” — When your bosses or coworkers make derogatory comments about LGBTQ+ people, use slurs, or make offensive statements that promote harmful stereotypes it’s always discrimination.
Asking you what your orientation is — Your orientation and gender are not your coworkers’ or bosses’ business and they cannot ask you about or ask you to confirm either one.
Misgendering you on purpose — If your coworkers or bosses consistently use the wrong pronouns or gender markers when talking to you and about you that’s discrimination. So is using your dead name if you’re transgender and have chosen a name.
Dress Code Restrictions — If your employer tries to institute a dress code that requires clothing based on sex or gender like requiring women to wear makeup or skirts that’s discrimination.
Filing A Workplace Discrimination Claim
The first step in stopping the discrimination is going to your boss and HR with a list of all the discrimination that you’ve experienced. Write down the dates, who did what, and what happened. If your boss and the HR department head refuse to help you or take action or if they dismiss your concerns then go to the EEOC’s website to start a complaint. You can also apply on the state level as well. In New Mexico, you can file a discrimination complaint with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions. When you file a claim on the state level, it will be dual-filed to the EEOC and two agencies will work together to try to help resolve your claim.
Penalties For Discrimination
Civil Right Act violations are a big deal and companies can have to pay huge amounts in fines if they violate workers’ rights. Your employer could have to pay up to $10,000 per violation or face criminal charges. You could receive lump sums of money for any wages owed you for a raise or promotion that you didn’t get and for anguish or pain and suffering.
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