Elections show you who your friends are.  They often tell us who our opposition is, as well.   But occasionally, in a robust democracy, allied organizations and partners in a community with shared values - support different candidates for different reasons.   Our position at EQNM has been to support the candidates we think will best protect our LGBTQ community while keeping in mind that the fight for LGBTQ liberation is a fight for autonomy, control over our own bodies, our own lives, and our own destinies, free from the restrictions or oppressions of others.

The fight for LGBTQ Liberation is about protecting Queer and Trans people first and foremost.  Then, we move to a world where we view all policies as intersectional, are aware of the layers of impact they all have, and work together in solidarity with partner organizations and leaders to move beyond protection to proactive anti-oppression.

EQNM did not initially endorse in the Albuquerque School Board elections. There were a number of reasons for this, namely the capacity of a small staff to run a robust and thorough endorsement process in multiple areas across the state.   We turned to our partner organizations who were endorsing in Albuquerque and shared the Voter Guide from our friends at ProgressNow NM to help Albuquerque folks make informed decisions - while turning our attention to other areas of the state.

But some folks are mischaracterizing the election in District 1 of Albuquerque - and spreading inaccurate information about one of the candidates.

Janelle Astorga completed a joint questionnaire for EQNM and many other organizations. And though EQNM didn’t endorse this race - we were beyond excited to see her goals to champion the safety, inclusion, and affirmation of LGBTQ students in APS.   We especially trust our partner organizations who did a deeper dive with Janelle and trust her to be the voice for our communities at the School board level.

We are not particularly fond of the Albuquerque Journal; the editorial board is notoriously opposed to the values we hold close to and work from as we blaze our trail to liberation.   The Journal is notoriously anti-abortion access, anti-bodily autonomy, aligned with profit and business rather than community, anti-union and anti-economic justice.  But to equate the Journal’s vastly more conservative stance on these issues and their endorsement of Janelle Astorga - with her being anti-LGBTQ is inaccurate, unfair, and dangerous.

What we know at EQNM is there is a Real Fight at the School Board level in all 89 school districts, including here in Albuquerque.   But when there are two viciously anti-LGBTQ candidates being supported by - and frankly helping to lead - the ‘Moms for Liberty’ movement to harm Queer and Trans youth, we should be really honest and clear about who is on our side and who isn’t.   Most of our partner organizations with whom we work closely have endorsed Janelle Astorga, and some have endorsed Robert Trujillo - but neither of these candidates are anti-LGBTQ. We shouldn’t hint, or vaguely suggest that either one is.  

The Queer and Trans Communities in our state have real opposition, real enemies; and we have real champions, and there are folks who will be friendly solid votes but neither champions nor enemies.   Let’s be clear: we want a Board full of Champions. We’ll accept a handful of friendly, solid supporters, but we HAVE to focus on stopping those who are our opposition - our real enemies working to tharm us.