Equality New Mexico Continues To Lead For Equal Rights

Equality New Mexico Continues To Lead For Equal Rights
From EQNM

Since 1993, Equality New Mexico has lead the way for L/G/B/T rights in New Mexico. Yet, this is a time of transition and exciting challenges for EQNM and New Mexico's L/G/B/T community.

The national organizations that have heavily supported EQNM over the years have made defeating California's Proposition 8 their number one priority. That means that EQNM will have to operate with one third of the budget the Board expected. It means that the Board of Directors has taken extraordinary measures to slash costs and significantly step-up its New Mexico fund-raising efforts.

"We remain committed to our goals," noted newly-elected Board President Chris Herbert of Roswell.

The Board of Directors has not allowed current circumstances to curtail their short-term or long-term goals for the organization.

"As always," affirmed Rachel Rosen, Santa Fe, "EQNM will continue to pursue our three-pronged agenda: Legislation, Advocacy, and Education."

EQNM supports the Campaign for Domestic Partnership, a joint project with Equality PAC. To that end, the Campaign for Domestic Partnership has hired Trey LeFleur, an organizer based in Las Cruces, and Sandra Wechsler, our campaign manager based in Santa Fe, for the Domestic Partner Campaign.

"The Campaign is aggressively working to educate voters in districts where we need to pick-up votes," reminded LeFleur. "We're particularly active in Dona Ana County."

The Campaign is active in six legislative races in the northern and southern parts of the State. EQNM will push anti-bullying legislation in the 2009 Legislative Session, in addition to our Domestic Partnership Bill.

Serving as lead advocates, EQNM volunteers and staff continue to field calls from across the State. EQNM advocates for L/G/B/T people across New Mexico.

"We get so many heart-warming, encouraging calls every day," noted Jesse Lopez, Albuquerque volunteer. "But, we still get far too many heart-breaking ones as well."

EQNM continues to pursue programmatic work to educate the community about our hard-won civil rights, the extent of the Hate Crimes Act, and fairness in relationship recognition.

What does that mean to YOU? It means EQNM needs your help like never before. It means that EQNM needs you to donate money. It means that EQNM needs you to volunteer for the Campaign for Domestic Partnership.

"It means EQNM needs you to take action now," confirmed Virginia Stephenson, Board member, "to ensure equality for our community."

Links:

www.EQNM.org
www.EqualityPAC.com