The recent legislative session in New Mexico has concluded, leaving mixed outcomes for the LGBTQ+ community. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham opened the session with a State of the State address focusing on public safety, but her approach faced criticism for emphasizing punishment over safety. Nevertheless, some progress was made with the passing of a seven-day waiting period for firearm purchases and a ban on guns in polling places.
One significant achievement was the passage of HB 151, known as the Benjamin Higher Education Sexual Violence Prevention and Intervention Act. This legislation mandates that New Mexico universities adopt an affirmative consent standard and provide related training to students. EQNM collaborated with the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Providers to secure this victory after five years of effort.
However, not all proposed bills were successful. The Paid Family and Medical Leave bill and Dignity Without Detention bill did not pass. The Paid Family and Medical Leave proposal aimed to support both businesses and workers by offering protections during crises or family creation but faced opposition from certain legislators. The failure to pass Dignity Without Detention was particularly disappointing for those advocating for LGBTQ asylum seekers facing persecution abroad.
The short duration of even-year legislative sessions, limited to 30 days compared to 60 days in odd years, contributed to several bills being left unaddressed due to time constraints. Despite these challenges, efforts will continue through organizing programs, statewide summits, and interim committee hearings.
EQNM expressed gratitude towards their community for staying engaged during the session and emphasized the need for elected officials to recognize LGBTQ issues as intersectional. They stressed the importance of addressing physical and mental healthcare needs, employment security, and community-based public safety strategies.
Looking ahead, EQNM remains committed to advocating for legislative agendas that reflect diverse community experiences rather than top-down approaches driven by singular visions.
