EQNM News: 

This past week Equality New Mexico (EQNM) endorsed the re-election campaign of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. 

The organization, which has led LGBTQ+ advocacy and liberation work in New Mexico for 29 years, announced its endorsement on social media and to its more than 10,000 members statewide by email.

“There hasn’t been a more difficult or harrowing time to be a Queer or Trans person in this country in recent history,” EQNM Executive Director Marshall Martinez said. “In fact, our community hasn’t experienced this level of violence, attacks in policy, or stigma since the peak of the HIV/AIDS Crisis in the late 80s and early 90s. The choice is clear for us and should be for all New Mexicans who love someone who is a part of our LGBTQ community; we can’t afford a Governor in NM who isn’t a fighter for us.”

In the last two years, more than 200 Anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced across the country, many passing. And in many states, Homophobic and Transphobic Governors are issuing Executive Orders to undermine the essential ability of families to parent their trans children with dignity, respect, and affirmation. Gov. Lujan Grisham has been the opposite of this. She has always been clear in her values, including respect, love and affirmation of LGBTQ friends, family and neighbors.

In 2021 Gov. Lujan Grisham signed an Executive Order that made New Mexico the first state in the Nation to collect LGBTQ+ data in all state agencies and departments, which is a crucial step to identifying gaps and barriers. Because of this Executive Order, there is a path forward to ensure no service or program is anything less than affirming and fully accessible to LGBTQ+ New Mexicans.

Of the endorsement Gov. Lujan Grisham said: “I am honored to accept Equality New Mexico’s endorsement. At a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under threat across the country, it is more important than ever to ensure that everyone in New Mexico is treated equally and has every opportunity for success. As governor, I am proud to have delivered protections for LGBTQ+ youth, more inclusive gender identification policies for trans and nonbinary New Mexicans, and better data collection to accurately capture the needs of LGBTQ+ New Mexicans. I will continue to partner with Equality New Mexico and New Mexico’s LGBTQ+ community to ensure our state continues to be a welcoming, diverse place for all.”