We’re proud that New Mexico’s Human Rights Act is one of the strongest in the country, but it’s time for us to make it even stronger.
Senate Bill 152 will clarify and strengthen our existing nondiscrimination law. Not only will it modernize the Human Rights Act’s language surrounding disability, but it will also close an unintentional loophole that has historically allowed state agencies and publicly-funded entities to claim that they’re exempt from the Act. That means that our taxpayer dollars have been used to facilitate discrimination against our friends, family, and neighbors.
The Human Rights Act has always intended to fully protect New Mexicans from discrimination, so we must make that clear and official with this bill.
SB152 is crucial for the safety of our LGBTQ youth, one of the most vulnerable groups of New Mexicans. Queer and trans youth are over-represented in government systems of care, such as foster care and homeless shelters. They experience mistreatment in those systems at disproportionate rates, too. Because many of the providers that support youth are government contractors and grantees, it's essential that these entities are prohibited from discriminating against queer and trans youth seeking help during their time of greatest need.
Here are a few other groups who will also benefit from enhanced protections because of SB152:
Students, staff, and faculty facing discrimination in public schools and universities
Citizens accessing the court systems
LGBTQ families adopting children
The passing of SB152 is especially important during the pandemic, as it’s becoming more and more clear that individuals are relying on a multitude of services provided by a myriad of agencies and contractors. This bill will help ensure that all New Mexicans have access to opportunity without discrimination.
At EQNM, we believe every LGBTQ person deserves to live without fear of violence or discrimination, individual or government-sanctioned. Don’t let your taxpayer dollars continue to fund discriminatory practices in New Mexico. Instead, contact your senators and urge them to vote yes on SB152.