Legislative Session Update

Yzabella Villa-Naranjo⁩ - EQNM Legislative Fellow

Chiara Cavaletto⁩ - EQNM Legislative Fellow

Hey everyone! This is Yza and Chiara, your friendly neighborhood legislative fellows, with your weekly update. This week, we’ve had a lot of good news on our priorities, but a couple of setbacks. We need to stay vocal and reach out to legislators about what our priorities are.

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HERE'S WHAT’S HAPPENING:

The Good:

As you read last week, NMCPSA (SB420) is moving forward! It passed the Senate Tax Committee (5-4) and urgently needs a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Email The Senate Judiciary Committee to hear the bill.

Our Overdose Prevention Centers Bill cleared its first hurdle in the House Health and Human Services Committee.

SB36, the MVD Data Protection Bill, passed the Senate (26-14) and now heads to the House. This bill is crucial to preventing state agencies from sharing or selling our sensitive personal data without a warrant.

Our Health Data Privacy Bill passed the House Health & Human Services Committee—a win for abortion access and gender-affirming care in NM!

Reproductive Health Lobby Day was a success! Our Community Organizer, Hazel, delivered an inspiring speech. Read More Here. 

HB518, proposing an official LGBTQ+ Day in NM, passed its first committee with no opposition. We’re grateful to our legislators for uplifting our community!

HB250, ensuring incarcerated people have access to menstrual products, and HB60, the AI Act (set to be the nation’s strongest protection against AI discrimination), both passed CPAC and House Judiciary, respectively.

Finally, our Confirmatory Adoption Bill is nearing a full Senate vote! This ensures same-gender parents in NM have legally binding proof of parentage - critical for travel to states that may try to erase those rights.

The Bad: 

SB4, the Clear (Queer) Horizons Bill was tabled in Senate Finance—a disappointing setback. This bill, written with queer and trans voices at the center, recognized how climate change disproportionately harms underserved communities. We’ll keep pushing for these necessary reforms and holding decision-makers accountable. Climate change has long targeted LGBTQ+ communities, and now that partners like Conservation Voters NM are amplifying our perspective, we’re here to get the work done.

HB410, the so-called "Data Privacy Bill," was heard in House Commerce & Economic Development. Despite claims of protecting consumers, this bill is a big tech-backed “common sense” solution—one that’s failed to protect people in other states. We remain skeptical and committed to real data privacy protections.

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3 WAYS YOU CAN TAKE ACTION THIS WEEK

Support SB420 & Comprehensive Sex Ed (SB258)

Email your legislator urging them to support SB420 and SB258.

Call your legislator and leave a message in support of SB420.

Post on social media to spread awareness and encourage support for SB420.

Help Us Fight Back Against Big Tech

We’re up against billion-dollar tech companies that prioritize profits over the safety of LGBTQ+ people and immigrants. Donate today to support our advocacy efforts.

Amplify Our Message - Share & Create a Video!

Share our video on NMCSPA. Instagram | Facebook

 Help us make another video!

Record yourself saying one of these quick messages and email it to info@eqnm.org:

“Protect LGBTQ people, Protect our data!”

“Protect Immigrants, Protect our data!”

“Protect our communities, Protect our data!”

“Pass Senate Bill 420 or House Bill 307 today!”

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Now is the time for every voice to join the movement to protect Queer and Trans New Mexicans! We only have about 20 days left!.

Let’s keep pushing forward, together.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

March 22: End of Legislative Session

Legislative Session Update

Nathan Saavedra⁩, Programs Manager

This is ⁨Nathan Saavedra⁩, the Programs Manager, with your weekly update. This week has been a big push for key legislation. There’s good movement on some bills, but we also need to stay loud against harmful policies. We’re pushing hard to make sure our values are clear, and now is the time to take action!

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HERE'S WHAT’S HAPPENING:

First, we’ve got some important legislation moving in the right direction. NMIPSA, now called NMCPSA, was introduced in the senate with sponsors Sen. Charley & Sen. Duhigg focuses on protecting New Mexicans from the harm aimed at us-by Trump and other states by protecting our data from big tech—it’s a big step forward for privacy. Privacy is a critical protection for our communities to stay safe.

On the adoption front, we saw some positive movement with a bill designed to make confirmatory adoptions more accessible. It passed its initial committee and is now one step closer to making life a little easier for families. The goal here is simple: give lgbtq couples a simplified way to prove their parenthood while traveling to other states or countries that might not be friendly to the way we create our families.

We’re also waiting for a bill on sex education to be scheduled in the Senate Finance Committee., so keep your ears open for that. Another bill aimed at supporting libraries and protecting librarians from potential threats is moving forward, which is great news for our local communities and their access to information.

However, not everything is looking positive. There’s a new bill that would restrict access to gender-affirming care. This is something we need to actively oppose - especially as it threatens the well-being of vulnerable communities. We’re also watching a bill that could unnecessarily criminalize LGBTQ events disguised as protecting to child safety We’re still digging into this bill and will report back when we understand it's consequences (intentional or otherwise) better

On a more positive note, there’s a bill focused on addressing the overdose crisis, which passed its first committee. It’s a priority of our Public Safety Coalition because it could have a significant impact on harm reduction efforts. We're committed to strong support for the public health crisis that is addiction in NM.

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Repro Health and Gender Affirming Care cohort at the annual Planned Parenthood fundraiser

Even though this work is hard and often tireless, we keep finding time to support our partners and be in community - and community is all we have sometimes.

Here's a pic of some of our team alongside our Repro Health and Gender Affirming Care cohort at the annual Planned Parenthood fundraiser! We love hard work, and we love a good time, too!

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We’ve reached the halfway mark, but we still need to raise $15,000 to continue our critical work protecting LGBTQ+ New Mexicans from the threats posed by Donald Trump and his allies.

Your support today ensures we have the resources to fight back, defend our rights, and keep our communities safe. Every dollar makes a difference.

Can you chip in now to help us reach our goal? Donate Here

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What three things can you do this week to support our work at the Roundhouse?

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Share this update with your friends and family - every voice matters.

Let’s keep pushing forward, together.

Legislative Session Update

EQNM Legislative Fellow - Chiara Cavaletto

Hey friends, It’s Chiara here. I am a Legislative Fellow. I am glad to report on what has been going on lately within the legislature. As you can imagine, the Roundhouse has been buzzing with activity as good/harmful bills are still being introduced. 

 At Equality New Mexico, we are clear on our mission: we are a state-based organization, and despite what is happening at the federal level, the best and most powerful things we can do to protect our communities are to build power in New Mexico, pass the best laws possible, and embolden New Mexico institutions to stand strong!

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Here’s where things stand:

Progress is being made on several key issues at the Roundhouse. Comprehensive sex education took a step forward, passing the Senate Education committee, while efforts to restrict transgender athletes were blocked—a win for us! Legislation to limit housing application fees and expand Medicaid also advanced through committee votes. Meanwhile, new bills focused on immigrant safety and overdose prevention were introduced, and a measure to allow non-major party voters to participate in primaries cleared its first hurdle in the Senate.

Apart from our wins this week, there are also serious concerns about harmful legislation moving forward. A proposed digital age verification law would expand data collection and raise significant privacy issues. Yet another anti-trans bill was introduced under the guise of protecting women’s safety, adding to ongoing attacks on the trans community. Additionally, new restrictions on abortion access have been proposed, limiting the ability to prescribe medication to doctors only.

Keep an eye out for the soon to be introduced. Community Safety and Privacy Act. All of the protections we have put in place for LGBTQ people in New Mexico will mean nothing if Big Tech and the federal government get their way and continue to have access to information that identifies who we are, and what we do, without our consent. This data privacy protection is a critical piece of legislation to ensure that queer and trans New Mexicans, immigrants, and people who access reproductive healthcare cannot be prosecuted by hostile state governments around us or the current occupants of the White House.

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Three things can you do this week to support our work in the roundhouse:

1. Emails to legislators

2. Calls to legislators

3. Post on social media

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Share this update with your friends and family - every voice matters.

Let’s keep pushing forward, together.

Standing with Trans and Non-Binary Americans: Follow New Mexico’s Example

Across the country, we’ve seen relentless attacks on trans and non-binary people—particularly trans youth. These efforts attempt to roll back hard-won rights, spread misinformation, and divide communities by claiming that so-called “traditional values” are at odds with LGBTQ inclusion. In New Mexico, research tells a different story.

We believe in the power of public narrative to counter anti-trans rhetoric and mobilize support for trans people across our state. That’s why we partnered with progressive statewide advocacy organizations to launch a research project that allows us to better understand how New Mexicans, especially those in rural areas, think and feel about trans rights. The Transgender Resource Center of New Mexico, Bold Futures, ProgressNow, and Strong Families all came together to conduct our study. 

The results were clear: New Mexicans believe in fairness, dignity, and equality for their trans neighbors. With the right dialogue, we can strengthen that support and translate it into meaningful action—not just here at home, but around the country.

Why Focus on Rural Communities?

For years, opponents of LGBTQ rights have framed their attacks on trans people as being in defense of "rural values." They claim that smaller communities hold more conservative beliefs and therefore reject trans inclusion. But is that actually true?

Our research set out to test that assumption. This yearlong project began with a digital survey of more than 100 people with trans families, followed by 11 focus groups across New Mexico, including eight regions outside of Albuquerque. We conducted a statewide survey with a random sample of 1,500 New Mexicans—balanced for age, geography, and demographics—to gauge attitudes about trans people and policies that affect them. We also conducted focus groups in rural communities and spoke directly with the family members of trans people.

What we found was hopeful and affirming: Rural New Mexicans, just like those in urban areas, care deeply about fairness, dignity, and family values. The key is making sure people hear about what connects trans rights to the values they already hold.

What New Mexicans Really Think

The data revealed a complex but encouraging picture. While misinformation about trans people has taken root in some places, many New Mexicans are open to learning, growing, and supporting their trans neighbors when given the right information.

Support for Trans Rights is Strong, But Education is Needed

• 65% of respondents believe decisions about trans youth should be made without political interference.

• Over one-third oppose laws that restrict trans people from using bathrooms that align with their gender.

• Just over half support restricting trans athletes based on sex assigned at birth—showing a need for more public education on this topic.

Trusted Messengers Make a Difference

Our research found that when people hear supportive messages from trusted sources, their attitudes shift significantly. Among the most effective messengers:

• Trans people telling their own stories

• LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations

• Doctors and medical professionals

• Faith leaders who frame trans acceptance as part of their spiritual values

• Family members of trans people

These findings underscore the importance of building relationships with community leaders who can help share accurate, compassionate messages about trans people.

What Can You Do?

The research is clear: With the right approach, we can continue to grow support for trans people in New Mexico. Now, it’s time to take action.

• Learn how to talk about trans rights effectively. EQNM offers advocacy trainings to help you have meaningful, persuasive conversations about trans issues. Reach out to TGRCNM for more info. They have a Storytellers Corps, and can help train you so that you feel comfortable sharing your own experience and these broader values with communities across the state. 

• Encourage your organizations to step up. If you’re involved in a school, workplace, or faith community, urge them to connect with organizations like EQNM, TGRCNM, ProgressNow NM, ACLU, Strong Families, and Bold Futures for guidance.

• Stay informed and engaged. Join EQNM’s mailing list to receive updates on legislative efforts, community events, and opportunities to help.

• Support trans voices in media and advocacy. TGRCNM is building a Trans Spokesperson Pool—if you know a trans or non-binary person interested in speaking out, encourage them to join.

• Push for pro-trans policies. Work with EQNM and other groups to advance proactive, pro-trans legislation that  strengthens protections and resources for trans New Mexicans.

The Future of Trans Rights in New Mexico

Despite the national climate of hostility toward trans people, New Mexico is different. Our state has long been a place where diverse cultures, traditions, and identities thrive. 

But that doesn’t mean our work is done. Anti-trans forces are well-organized, and they rely on misinformation and fear to push their agenda. It’s up to us to make sure our communities hear the truth: that supporting trans people is not just the right thing to do—it’s a reflection of the values we hold dear.

The good news? We are not alone in this fight. New Mexicans from all walks of life are ready to stand up for their trans neighbors. Now, it’s time to turn that support into action.

Join us. Speak up. Advocate. Together, we can build a future where all trans people in New Mexico are free to live, thrive, and be their authentic selves. 

Legislative Session: Week Three Recap and Look Ahead

Week Three at the Roundhouse was the most exciting so far, according to EQNM’s staff and fellows who are working hard to rep the Queer and Trans community this session. 

“There was a lot of running around, talking to legislators, and pushing our bills to get heard as quickly as possible,” said EQNM program manager Nathan Saavedra. This included participating in Youth Lobby Day and Public Health Day, where EQNM’s community team was able to sign up dozens of future volunteers.

Although things got difficult at times, particularly with the committee hearing on the so-called Protection of Women’s Sports Act (HB185) and questions around federal executive orders targeting our community, we were proud to offer encouragement and support to LGBTQ New Mexicans. We teamed up with the Transgender Resource Center to write an oped in the Santa Fe New Mexican that was published in the Sunday paper; read Executive orders can’t erase our rights here. 

“There’s been a lot in the news this week and a majority of it is scary,” Nathan said. “We’re holding on to the values that keep us going. We’ve been here before. We’ve made it through, and we will make it through again.”

Here is a look at what went down in Santa Fe and what you can expect next.

Advocacy work is always a mix of wins and losses, and EQNM is in it for the long-haul. That’s why we are so excited to have a team of fellows with us this session, learning the ins-and-outs of introducing and passing bills, committee hearing dynamics, lobbying, and making adjustments in real time. 

This past week our fellows were running all over the place. They were impressed by the madness of the filibuster, locating reps to talk to about bills, attending coalition meetings for sex education policy—and they managed to grab some great tacos from Fusion. (Busy queer champions need to eat well!)

Youth Lobby Day on Feb 4th. Featured Organizations: BFNM, ACLU-NM, PPRM, TWU. PNNM, Strong Families NM, & EQNM!

Our fellow Yza said: “I've been learning what an all-encompassing term ‘lobbying’ is and it’s been really interesting to see what that actually means and entails. It’s a lot of talking to people and introducing yourself to build connections!” Chira recognized that “you need to pitch bills differently depending on your audience.” And Arlo was able to pass as a longtime pro with a legislator: “One of the representatives I talked to said that she couldn’t tell it was my first time talking to a legislator; so that felt nice!”  

Our next generation of queer and trans advocates are doing a great job standing up for our community!

We expect another busy week at the Legislature. The Internet Privacy & Safety Act (IPSA: HB307) is scheduled for its first committee on Wednesday, Feb 12, and our rental fees bill (SB267) is scheduled for Feb 13. It’s also National Sex Education Week, so we’ll be supporting the Sex Ed bill (SB258)

“Expect plenty of advocacy requests coming your way via social media, text messages, & phone banks,” Nathan says. “We need your voice to help us win this fight!”

You can join our Rapid Response Team to get text message alerts for critical moments when your voice is most needed. Sign up here.

Our Public Safety Coalition's 2025 Legislative Agenda

We are continuing to work with partner organizations to develop a comprehensive public safety agenda that addresses issues at their root causes and looks to community for solutions.

Legislative Session: Week Two Recap and Look Ahead

EQNM has been on the ground in Santa Fe since the legislative session started, ensuring alongside our partner organizations and elected champions that the progress we’ve achieved in our state is not only protected, but continues to expand. 

Our staff members described the vibe of Week Two as “the calm before the storm.” Our team took the opportunity to get ahead of the impending chaos by engaging in strategic planning, relationship-building, participating in UNM Day with Rep. Marianna Anaya, and hosting 54 statewide attendees at our monthly LGBTQ Roundtable meeting (Roundhouse edition!). We anticipate that most of our priority bills will be introduced soon, and once they’re in motion the pace will get frenetic fast.  

Rep. Marianna Anaya recognized a group of UNM Alum advocates who work day-in-day-out in the building supporting their communities. Pictured: EQNM, ACLU-NM, & Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.

“The EQNM team is hard at work, “ says Program Manager Nathan Saavedra. “Energy is high, and we are passionately focused on getting as much done as we can to ensure the safety and livelihoods of our New Mexico communities."

Although we feel energized, it was still a hard week. Despite the federal government launching a barrage of executive orders attacking LGBTQ Americans particularly targeting trans individuals, here in New Mexico, we remain steadfast in affirming and protecting the rights we have fought so hard to secure. This past week demonstrated both the resilience of our community and the challenges we continue to face. 

Here’s a recap of the highlights:

"Unfortunately, we expected a variety of anti-LGBTQ, and especially anti-trans, legislation to be introduced this session,” Nathan says. “We are prepared and able to fight these bad bills. Our Legislature has a majority of supportive LGBTQ-friendly legislators, which provides us with the mettle we need to push back against what does not help New Mexico, and push forward what reinforces our progress as a state."

Stay Engaged

The best way to engage with EQNM’s work during the legislative session is to stay informed and be ready when we need you. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and our newly launched Bluesky. For more in-depth analysis, come back here to the EQNM News Blog every Sunday night for takeaways, predictions, and opportunities for action.

Simple actions like signing petitions, using click-to-send email forms, and sharing social media content make a big difference. If you’re willing to go a step further, join our Rapid Response Team to get text message alerts for critical moments when your voice is most needed. Don’t worry—we’ll only send the bat signal when it really counts! Sign up here.

Stay Informed, Stay Active

This legislative session is proving that progress is possible, but it requires all of us to stay engaged and advocate for our community. EQNM will continue to fight for equality at the Roundhouse, but we need you with us. Together, we can protect and expand the rights of LGBTQ New Mexicans.

EQNM Staff is Ready for Session!

2025 Legislative Agenda: Part One

What to Expect in the 2025 Legislative Session

We know you’re still recovering from all that holiday champagne, but you’re probably also feeling anxious after reading headlines about what’s at stake for our community, our state, and our country in 2025. For progressive movements, including the fight for queer and trans liberation here in New Mexico, it’s a time for regrouping and agenda-setting. EQNM is working closely with our partner organizations to identify all the ways we can protect New Mexicans from the incoming Trump administration while maintaining the priorities we’ve always championed at home. Let’s be clear: This is our job, and we are well prepared for it. Much has not changed. We’ve always known what LGBTQ New Mexicans need, and we aren’t giving up all our priorities just because of one election result.

Our first opportunity to make an impact will come mid-January, when our state representatives will come together in Santa Fe for a 60-day legislative session. While we don’t yet know which specific bills are on the docket, we can expect the session to focus on a mix of policies that will safeguard against and absorb any hits we might take at the federal level, as well as revisiting some of New Mexico’s ongoing high-priority issues, like public safety. EQNM will be posted up at the roundhouse for the duration of the session, advocating for LGBTQ New Mexicans and reporting critical developments back to you. We may need to call on you to contact your representatives and let them know where you stand, so if you want to use your voice sign up here.

Since the election, we’ve heard from a lot of you that you’re concerned about protecting your access to healthcare and other essential services. We anticipate that healthcare, including abortion and gender-affirming care, will be a high priority this session. Specifically we will be working to ensure that budgets are not slashed so much that accessing services, even if they are still legal, is effectively impossible. We will also advocate against allowing the federal government to identify and prosecute New Mexicans for securing these services. Our data belongs to us, and our privacy is a human right. That applies outside the healthcare system, too, around issues like immigration, incarceration, and asserting dissenting opinions in public. While we cannot protect New Mexicans against every federal attack, we feel confident that short of an act of Congress (those move slowly, if at all), we will be able to safeguard most New Mexicans’ right to access the life-saving reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare we deserve.

Fortunately, this year we voted to maintain a progressive majority in the legislature, and Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham has demonstrated a commitment to these core values.  In fact all of our statewide elected officals are ready to throw down for LGBTQ New Mexicans—from the Land Comissioner and Secretary of State to the Attorney General and Governor! Holding those progressive majorities in our state legislature is a crucial win for our communities.  

This past summer, many of you contacted your representatives about public safety during the governor’s special legislative session. EQNM, along with 40 other community groups, sent a letter to the governor asking for the session to be canceled. We argued that the approaches to public safety being proposed were not designed to address the root issues of the problems, and would have negative consequences for the LGBTQ community and all New Mexicans. In the upcoming legislative session, our coalition is ready to share a broad, proactive public safety agenda that offers solutions for problems like access to affordable housing, drug addiction treatment, improved support for mental and behavioral health, and criminal legal reforms that include building pathways back to community and reducing the odds that folks will return to prison. In addition to public safety, you’ll also see us advocating for policies we have long supported, such as changing the voting age to 16, paid family and medical leave, and generally ensuring that state agencies and public systems fully engage with and respond to the intersectional needs of LGBTQ constituents. 

EQNM has had a number of community conversations and collaborations with fellow queer and trans organizations in advance of the legislative session; if you have something to say that we need to hear, please reach out to us. E-mail Marshall or Narthan at info@eqnm.org to share your insights.