SANTA FE, NM and NEW YORK, NY – Equality New Mexico and Family Equality Council are pleased to release a new legal guide for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) families living in New Mexico. This resource provides LGBTQ-headed families and LGBTQ individuals with detailed and accessible explanations of the current status of federal and state, including recognition of same-sex marriages, parental rights, adoption, applying for documentation for children, nondiscrimination protections, school policies, healthcare, parental leave, and more. The guide also includes a list of legal documents it is recommended that all same-sex couples secure in order to ensure their rights and wishes are respected.
“Legal protections for LGBTQ families vary from state to state and although the climate in New Mexico has been more accepting than in some states, LGBTQ families may still experience discrimination and be denied equal access to education, employment, housing, healthcare, and public accommodations,” says Denise Brogan-Kator, Director of State Policy for Family Equality Council. “We hope that this resource will help families across New Mexico better protect their families, particularly given the newly uncertain political landscape we are now facing.”
Following the election last month, both Equality New Mexico and Family Equality Council recommitted to defending LGBTQ families from discriminatory legislation, and to providing public education that accurately portrays LGBTQ families and reduces homophobia and transphobia.
“Even as our agenda shifts toward emerging priorities, Equality New Mexico will always work to provide LGBTQ New Mexicans with the resources and information they need to protect and provide for their families,” says Amber Royster, Executive Director for Equality New Mexico. “We are grateful for the partnership of Family Equality Council in the development of this critical and timely resource.”
“The nature of family law, especially in the LGBT community, is complex,” says Dorene Kuffer, an attorney in Albuquerque who specializes in New Mexico family law and provided pro bono legal review of the guide. “Despite the advances in LGBT rights, the law has many gaps and confusing areas. Now, more than ever, a resource such as this is invaluable to families across New Mexico. Thanks go out to the Family Equality Council and Equality New Mexico for putting this together.”
Equality New Mexico and Family Equality Council will continue to work tirelessly to support LGBTQ families and to educate elected officials.
Access the guide in pdf format here: eqnm.org/nm-lgbtq-family-law/
About Equality New Mexico
Equality New Mexico is the state’s oldest and largest LGBTQ advocacy organization, and is committed to uplifting the voices and leadership of our community in creating a reality of equity, full access, and sustainable wellness for LGBTQ New Mexicans. Visit us online at www.eqnm.org.
About Family Equality Council
Family Equality Council connects, supports, and represents the three million parents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer in this country today and their six million children of all ages. We are changing attitudes and policies to ensure that all families are respected, loved, and celebrated—including families with parents who are LGBTQ. We are a community of parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren and unattached youth that reaches across this country. For almost forty years we have raised our children and raised our voices toward fairness for all families. As we look to the next chapter of our work, we are also focused on LGBTQ youth needing families and the two million LGBTQ adults waiting to foster or adopt in our country. To learn more, visit: www.familyequality.org.
Contacts:
Jamie Dickerman, Equality New Mexico
505.720.2195, jdickerman@griffinassoc.com
Ed Harris, Director of Communications, Family Equality Council
617.502.8700 x236, eharris@familyequality.org