As you probably know from my “Out of office” email responses, our social media, or the news, New Mexico just ended our 60-day legislative session on Saturday, March 18. And it was the most successful session for LGBTQ (and intersectional) issues in recent history.
I am extremely proud of the work Equality New Mexico did alongside our partner organizations, with the support of a dozen Legislative Champions.
This legislative session saw fewer bills introduced than previous years, but since our legislature can only do any business in the 60-day period (constitutionally), it still meant a LOT of work to kill the bad bills and move the good ones over the finish line!
Equality New Mexico went in with a handful of top-priority bills, but we were tracking, supporting, and working actively (both publicly and behind the scenes) to influence the outcome of a few dozen of them.
Our top-priority bills that passed are historical and set the stage for New Mexico to be the safest state in the nation for LGBTQ people!
We removed the requirement for a newspaper ad when folks legally change their names; we prohibited local governments and public institutions from restricting or interfering with access to abortion or gender affirming healthcare; we prohibited local governments, healthcare providers, or anyone else involved from participating (or being compelled to participate) in the prosecution or civil lawsuits from other states against providers or patients seeking abortion or gender affirming healthcare. We established new definitions of Gender, Gender Identity, Sex, and Sexual Orientation in our non-discrimination law, “The Human Rights Act,” and we closed a loophole that previously prevented the non-discrimination law from applying to taxpayer-funded entities such as local governments, state agencies, or even school districts. We passed broad, sweeping democracy reforms with the NM Voting Rights Act, which enshrined Native American voting protections in state law, created a permanent vote-by-mail list, re-enfranchised formerly incarcerated individuals, and created an automatic back-end voter registration system so that soon all eligible New Mexicans will be registered to vote whenever they interact with any state agency, like getting a driver’s license or applying for Medicaid.
New Mexico = Most protected state for LGBTQ people.
We helped our partners enact meaningful police reform by mandating a duty to intervene during excessive force situations and creating a database to track officers who have excessive use of force complaints and investigations, making it harder for them to hide by merely moving to another department and continuing bad behavior.
LGBTQ people = over policed, over prosecuted, over incarcerated.
Thanks to the large coalition of amazing partners, we were able to monitor and defeat all attempts to attack LGBTQ people, abortion access, voting access, and “tough on crime” policies.
Thank you to our amazing partner organizations for prioritizing the lives of LGBTQ New Mexicans.
There is much work to be done moving forward, but the EQNM team will be taking a bit of a break to rest and recover, scattering vacations across April and May. We will be gearing up for our big c4 fundraiser in June, the 3rd annual Resilience Event part of our 30-year anniversary celebrations. And, of course, PRIDE season is right around the corner, so there is a lot to plan for that.
3rd Annual Resilience Event. Saturday June 3rd, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Albuquerque Social Club
Thank you for your support of us and our work, and especially for ensuring we have the team we need to accomplish such big victories.
As most of you know, New Mexico’s 2023 Legislative Session is in full swing. EQNM has been hard at work in Santa Fe, fighting towards LGBTQ liberation. We’re grateful for everyone who has lobbied with us in the Roundhouse, interacted with our posts on social media, and sent emails to their legislators—we couldn’t do this work without you!
Here are links to check the status of our priority bills, as well as links to send emails about them to legislators:
HB 4, The NM Voting Rights Act
Check status | Contact your legislators
HB 207, The Human Rights Act Modernization
Check status | Contact your legislators
HB 43, Affirmative Consent Education in Schools
Check status | Contact your legislators
HB 7, Reproductive and Gender Affirming Healthcare Freedom Act
Check status | Contact your legislators
HB 31, Name Change Publication Repeal
Check status | Contact your legislators
Another great way to stay updated on our bills is to follow us on social media! We’re @equalitynm on Twitter and Instagram, @equalitynewmexico on TikTok, and @Equality New Mexico on Facebook.
There’s just a week left in the session, but we’re not slowing down. The work’s not over because it’s critical that we pass this legislation. Help push our bills over the finish line by using the links above to urge legislators to support pro-LGBTQ legislation!
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!).