Calling Queer and Trans Artists!

Calling Queer and Trans Artists!

Equality New Mexico is planning our first LGBTQ Statewide Summit in over 20 years!  

In 2024 we will gather Queer and Trans folks from across the state to build relationships and strategize about the next phase of our movement in New Mexico!  And we want YOUR help!

To kick off the planning of this Summit, we are asking artists in New Mexico to submit designs for a logo for this summit!  The logo will be printed on all of our materials, used to advertise and recruit for the summit, and be a part of the LGBTQ history of New Mexico!

Art submissions are due no later than midnight on January 22, 2024.  Artists should submit artwork to Summit@eqnm.org as a PDF, JPEG, or PNG file.

Specifications for submission:

• If artwork is painted, drawn, or otherwise created on paper, a digital artist will recreate the artwork for use in materials. (Digital artist will recreate with as little change to the original design as possible)

• Only artwork submitted as a PDF, PNG, or JPEG file will be considered.

• Only artwork submitted before midnight of January 22, 2024, will be considered.

Rules for the contest:

• Artwork must include the words “LGBTQ Statewide Summit” to be considered

• Artwork must be appropriate for all audiences and age groups to be considered.

• Artwork submitted to EQNM for this logo becomes the property of Equality New Mexico. 

• EQNM will have sole control of how, when, and where said artwork is used.

• EQNM will credit the artist for any use of the logo. 

Judging Criteria:

• Connection to the LGBTQ Community

• New Mexico-specific references or “feel.”

• Relationship to the Goals and Purpose of the State Summit

• Reconnecting LGBTQ people from across the state to build relationships

• Cultural sensitivity and consideration in a multi-racial, multi-generational, and multicultural state.

• Ability to translate design to digital and print in multiple sizes for multiple types of materials.

Prizes:

• The winner of the Logo Contest will receive $350.

• The winner of the Logo Contest will receive 1 registration, plus travel and lodging for the conference.

• All artists who enter will be entered into a raffle drawing for other prizes, including (but not limited to):

• Free travel stipend to attend the Summit

• Free lodging stipend for Summit

• EQNM Swag Package

EQNM is hiring!

EQNM Development Associate Job Description

Equality New Mexico, a statewide LGBTQ advocacy and Public Education organization is seeking a part-time Development Associate. Our team is searching for a highly motivated, goal-oriented individual to assist us in meeting our significant fundraising goals for the growth and stability of our dynamic organization.

Job Overview

The ideal candidate will have experience in event planning, donor cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation to achieve continued and increased support of EQNM’s mission and financial support. However, we will consider an individual who has the skill and ability to quickly learn fundraising techniques and methods. There is potential for the position to eventually grow into full-time, as the budget allows.

Main Areas of Responsibility

• Assist the Executive Director and Board of Directors in developing a fundraising plan to include cultivation, stewardship, and solicitation of current and potential donors, volunteers, and other supporters of EQNM.

• Assist in the development and implementation of fundraising events, including house parties and other events accessible to various demographics. 

• Willingness to communicate with donors via phone and email.

• Work collaboratively with the EQNM administrative assistant in scheduling and organizing fundraising committee meetings, donor meetings, and events.

• Work collaboratively with the communications staff in facilitating compelling fundraising communications with supporters of EQNM.

• Schedule donor and constituent meetings between the Board of Directors and/or Executive Director.

• Utilize various research tools for mining potential EQNM donors and supporters.

• Convene and facilitate a fundraising committee to expand EQNM’s donor base, volunteers, supporters, and visibility in the community. 

• Assist EQNM staff in preparation of grant applications and reports, i.e., track and calendar deadlines, proofread documents, and other tasks as assigned.

• Support EQNM staff and committees in the planning and execution of major fundraising events.

• Compile fundraising progress reports and assist with budget reports as needed.  

•  Assist with special projects.

Position Requirements

Exceptional verbal and written communications skills; comfortable speaking in public

Have access to reliable internet service

Ability to work remotely and engage in Zoom meetings

Demonstrated ability to multi-task, plan, and organize multiple projects and meet deadlines while maintaining focus

Knowledge of Google Suite programs.

Willingness and ability to travel on occasion

Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed

Ability to quickly learn new systems (technology as well as organizational)    

EQNM is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and we encourage People of Color, Women, Trans folks, and people of various experience levels to apply! 

To Apply, email resume and simple cover letter to Marshall@eqnm.org

We must stop KOSA at the federal level

We must stop KOSA (Kid’s Online Safety Act)

Equality New Mexico, the statewide LGBTQ advocacy organization in New Mexico, opposes the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which has been making its way through Congress in various forms and shapes for a couple of years.

While EQNM does not typically engage in federal policy advocacy, this bill endangers the impact of the hard-fought wins we have secured at the State Level.

 We are fortunate to have an entire Congressional Delegation that’s particularly strong and supportive of LGBTQ issues at the federal level.  This is why we told them all that we see KOSA as particularly dangerous to LGBTQ young people, a fact that has been hidden or outright lied about multiple times by supporters of the act.

LGBTQ people grow up experiencing significant isolation. In fact, queer and trans adults have no shortage of stories about how we felt like we were “the only one” like us for most of our childhoods.  And every LGBTQ person will tell you that if we had known more of each other and had access to accurate information about ourselves and our community at a younger age, we would have grown up with fewer mental health struggles, and many of us would have better physical health outcomes as well.    

While we have seen improvements in the lives of young LGBTQ people, we cannot ignore the new attacks, which are specifically focused on Trans Youth - disguised as protection but, in reality, just working to further isolate and harm Queer and Trans young people by making them believe they are “broken” or don’t know who they are yet. KOSA is one of these new attacks, which will allow states to restrict access to life-saving information for LGBTQ young people.

KOSA, while claiming to protect young people from the dangers of the internet (yes, the internet can be dangerous for young people), is much more harmful.  

Last year, KOSA - was opposed by a large coalition of national and state organizations.  And in that process - Senators Blumenthal and Blackburn met with some groups in opposition but did not change the bill substantially enough to make it less dangerous for us.

At the end of the day, this bill allows state Attorneys’ General to sue individuals and entities for violation of its clauses - written vaguely in theory to protect children; in reality, this is just a means for overly zealous anti-LGBTQ extremists to attack those of us who work to empower and engage LGBTQ youth in finding their authentic selves and finding a way to live that life safely and healthily.

One only needs to look at what sponsors and supporters have said about this bill to see the true dangers: 

• KOSA’s co-author, Senator Marsha Blackburn, was recorded lauding KOSA as a solution shortly after stating that “protecting minor children from the transgender in this culture” should be a policy priority.

• The Heritage Foundation has cited KOSA as a means to target content about being transgender and explained their support for the bill, stating, “Keeping trans content away from children is protecting kids.” 

• States like Texas and Idaho are considering — or have enacted — proposals to restrict information about abortion access, often in the name of “protect[ing] our children.”  Much of the rhetoric around book banning has already laid the groundwork for proposals like KOSA to be weaponized to censor resources on race, history, sexual orientation, gender, and mental health and well-being.

• States are banning accurate education about our history of slavery and racial discrimination from the classroom because it causes students to “feel discomfort, guilt, anguish or another form of psychological distress.” 

• Although many of the harms addressed by the bill are purportedly tied to “evidence-informed medical information,” lawmakers and attorneys general often point to medical “studies” to justify targeting transgender people and reproductive rights.

We at Equality New Mexico have asked our entire delegation to oppose KOSA - and to make public support to slow this bill's progress nationally.   

The Fight for the Future has put together a list of policies that would protect young people, and we ask you to consider looking at those policy proposals when your office is talking about these issues.

Talk to your friends and family about the harms of KOSA and urge them to show opposition themselves. 

Elections show you who your friends are.  They often tell us who our opposition is, as well.   But occasionally, in a robust democracy, allied organizations and partners in a community with shared values - support different candidates for different reasons.   Our position at EQNM has been to support the candidates we think will best protect our LGBTQ community while keeping in mind that the fight for LGBTQ liberation is a fight for autonomy, control over our own bodies, our own lives, and our own destinies, free from the restrictions or oppressions of others.

The fight for LGBTQ Liberation is about protecting Queer and Trans people first and foremost.  Then, we move to a world where we view all policies as intersectional, are aware of the layers of impact they all have, and work together in solidarity with partner organizations and leaders to move beyond protection to proactive anti-oppression.

EQNM did not initially endorse in the Albuquerque School Board elections. There were a number of reasons for this, namely the capacity of a small staff to run a robust and thorough endorsement process in multiple areas across the state.   We turned to our partner organizations who were endorsing in Albuquerque and shared the Voter Guide from our friends at ProgressNow NM to help Albuquerque folks make informed decisions - while turning our attention to other areas of the state.

But some folks are mischaracterizing the election in District 1 of Albuquerque - and spreading inaccurate information about one of the candidates.

Janelle Astorga completed a joint questionnaire for EQNM and many other organizations. And though EQNM didn’t endorse this race - we were beyond excited to see her goals to champion the safety, inclusion, and affirmation of LGBTQ students in APS.   We especially trust our partner organizations who did a deeper dive with Janelle and trust her to be the voice for our communities at the School board level.

We are not particularly fond of the Albuquerque Journal; the editorial board is notoriously opposed to the values we hold close to and work from as we blaze our trail to liberation.   The Journal is notoriously anti-abortion access, anti-bodily autonomy, aligned with profit and business rather than community, anti-union and anti-economic justice.  But to equate the Journal’s vastly more conservative stance on these issues and their endorsement of Janelle Astorga - with her being anti-LGBTQ is inaccurate, unfair, and dangerous.

What we know at EQNM is there is a Real Fight at the School Board level in all 89 school districts, including here in Albuquerque.   But when there are two viciously anti-LGBTQ candidates being supported by - and frankly helping to lead - the ‘Moms for Liberty’ movement to harm Queer and Trans youth, we should be really honest and clear about who is on our side and who isn’t.   Most of our partner organizations with whom we work closely have endorsed Janelle Astorga, and some have endorsed Robert Trujillo - but neither of these candidates are anti-LGBTQ. We shouldn’t hint, or vaguely suggest that either one is.  

The Queer and Trans Communities in our state have real opposition, real enemies; and we have real champions, and there are folks who will be friendly solid votes but neither champions nor enemies.   Let’s be clear: we want a Board full of Champions. We’ll accept a handful of friendly, solid supporters, but we HAVE to focus on stopping those who are our opposition - our real enemies working to tharm us. 

School Board elections are critical

Today is exactly two weeks from Election Day in many New Mexico towns and cities.  And while Local Elections get very little attention most of the time, the eyes of the LGBTQ Community should be intently focused on this election.

Over the past few years, we have seen more anti-LGBTQ bills than ever before introduced (and often passed) in states across the country.   Thanks to activists, partner organizations, and champion legislators, we have been very successful in New Mexico, not only in holding off those bills at the State Level but in moving forward protective policies to protect Queer and Trans New Mexicans, especially youth.  

But the fight isn’t over, and in fact, it‘s more dangerous than ever for LGBTQ young people.   

MAGA-aligned groups like Moms for Liberty are bullies who want to make decisions for all parents by banning access to information and healthcare information they disagree with. It's unfair to the majority of parents for a small group of extremists to decide what students can learn about what books they can read, all while working to silence voices they disagree with. New Mexico parents deserve the freedom to raise their own children in safe, inclusive schools that ensure their students are ready to graduate and take their next steps. MAGA groups like Moms for Liberty shouldn't be allowed to make those decisions for everyone.

But if New Mexicans don’t turn out in elections across the state, these extremists will be successful in taking over school boards across the state, which will be the beginning of an entire generation of young people (and our communities) harmed by these extreme policies.

Look, we aren’t saying we don’t want parents involved in the education of their communities’ children.  We are saying that a small handful of very loud parents, led by a group of extremists that are listed as a hate group, shouldn’t be allowed to decide for the majority of parents, teachers, and community members what information young people have access to.  

So EQNM this year, once again, endorsed candidates for School Board (and City Council) in various areas of the state. And while we didn’t have the time and staff capacity to endorse everywhere, we point our followers and friends to the work of our partner organizations.  

We worked together with Organizations like OLE NM and Working Families Party to engage with candidates across the State and ensure that we were all able to work together in the interest of protecting LGBTQ young people, as well as the other values we hold close: access to reproductive healthcare, economic justice and fair pay for teachers and education staff! 

For information at a glance, you can check out the ProgressNow NM Voter Guide - which compiles information about all of the candidates across the state that they could find and lists the endorsements they have received as well.  

Share these resources with your friends and family, take this information with you to the polls, and don’t forget to cast your vote- our LGBTQ youth are counting on you! 

EQNM is hiring a Communications Associate

Equality New Mexico seeking Communications Associate: Equality New Mexico, a statewide LGBTQ advocacy and public education organization, is searching for an excited and eager entry/mid-level Communications Associate who wants to be active in the LGBTQ movement in New Mexico.

The position is part-time (20-30 hrs/wk $17/hr), with the intent of expanding to full-time in the future.   

Key Responsibilities:

• Content Creation & Social Media Management

• Draft and format key content for emails, social media, op-eds, and other communication methods.

• Bi-weekly emails and blog posts, as well as multiple social media posts per week.

• Other members of the team support these needs, as well.

• The position will be a key part of a team charged with deepening and expanding the brand and “voice” of the organization in all communications.

• EQNM is working to build a statewide movement that is engaged via email and social media on the electoral, policy, and systemic change we work toward.

• The position will work with leadership to develop a communications calendar and then create content to implement Style, Voice, and Brand guidance.

• This position requires creativity, understanding (or a desire to learn) intersecting issues, and the best ways to explain and engage our membership on them. 

• Create and execute social media strategy to engage EQNM audience 

• The creation of a strategy and calendar are the responsibility of the Communications associate, individual posts, content, and placement are distributed among the team.

• Monitor and uplift the digital presence of partner organizations on intersecting issues.

• Work with Graphic Designer and Community Organizer to create media assets that engage and empower the EQNM audience

• Be a team player

• Engage with the EQNM team (staff, Boards, and key community leaders) to continuously shape and implement projects, values, and tactics that work for our movement.

• Give and receive feedback from mentors, leaders, and staff about engagement, messaging, projects, and EQNM’s role in the broader world.

• Qualifications

• Open-minded and eager to learn with a passion for LGBTQ issues at the intersection of race, gender, and class. 

• Interest in systemic change and upending oppressive systems

• Willing to travel occasionally

Interested Applicants can apply by emailing Marshall@eqnm.org with a resume and a writing sample of 500 - 1000 words. (On any topic applicant thinks is relevant)

Please also include a few sentences on why statewide advocacy work on LGBTQ issues appeals to you and what motivates you to create a better New Mexico.

2023 Legislative Report

2022 Legislative Report

Equality New Mexico 2023 Legislative Session Funder Debrief

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.

There’s one week left in session—here’s how you can help push our bills over the finish line!

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!