May 1st is International Workers’ Day! To celebrate, we wanted to highlight Michaela Gallegos from the New Mexico Working Families Party (NMWFP). This is the second installment of EQNM’s Intersectionality Series; you can read more about why we’re doing this series and see our first installment with ProgressNow New Mexico here.
NMWFP is building a multiracial, feminist, multigenerational political home for the working class that fights for the world we deserve to live in. They work to create collective power for our communities and those who have historically been left out of the political process—and LGBTQ New Mexicans are no stranger to that.
NMWFP values people over corporations and works to elect progressive champions that change people’s lives and make government work for everyday people. Like EQNM, NMWFP is working to break down the structural barriers that limit New Mexicans’ self-determination and ability to thrive—our government should work for the people, not against us.
When asked what changes NMWFP would like to see, Michaela said, “We want a nation where everyone thrives and a better future for all. This includes quality jobs; access to healthcare, reproductive healthcare, and mental healthcare; immigration reform; criminal justice reform; healthy food; clean water and air; living wages; housing; paid sick leave; quality and affordable education from birth onwards; and a say in how our government works. We want to protect and expand voting rights. We want equity and equality.” These goals would improve live for all New Mexicans, including those of us who are queer and trans.
NMWFP’s current top policy priorities include democracy reform, electing working families champions from the communities they seek to represent, implementing the statewide paid sick leave law, climate justice legislation and advocacy, and passing the early childhood education ballot initiative.
When asked about her and NMWFP’s activism, Michaela said, “Our work is intersectional. We believe that no matter where we come from, who we love, or what our color, most of us want the same things. Everyone deserves to thrive, and we work on core issues that impact our daily lives, like living wages, access to healthcare, and safe communities through criminal justice reform.”
Here at EQNM, we’re firm believers that every LGBTQ person deserves a living wage and equal opportunity for advancement in the Land of Enchantment. Michaela agrees: “As a parent of a queer child, I am deeply invested in protecting and expanding my child’s rights and opportunities.” She also mentions how NMWFP works in coalition with LGBTQ organizations like us, and that “members of WFP’s national committee, senior leadership team, and staff are queer and/or nonbinary, and their lived experiences inform WFP’s policy work at the local, state, and national levels.”
When asked her favorite thing about New Mexico, Michaela said, “I love the sense of community in New Mexico and how everyone can be ‘family’. I missed that sense of belonging when I lived in another state.” And it’s clear that NMWFP is working to improve life for those communities. To learn more about Michaela, watch our interview with her here!
Want to get involved with NMWFP? Text NMWFP to 30403, or sign the WFP People’s Charter here!